Two Indian teams are building out hyper realistic models who look, emote and feel almost like real people.
At first glance, Kyra is almost a stereotypical social media influencer. Perfect skin, a pose of nonchalant confidence, hair just so and clothes effortlessly stylish. Her Instagram page is filled with the usual photos, from a sun-drenched shot against a Jaipur palace to yoga on a rooftop.
Kyra doesn’t exist—at least not in the way we think of it. But it seems unbelievable that she couldn’t, a curiosity that keeps her 54,000 followers coming back for more on a daily basis.
She’s what is known in the business as a “hyper realistic” virtual influencer. A computer-generated model meant to be …
Akanksha is a former writer at The Morning Context, who covered the cryptocurrency industry and other new technology. Her main area of interest is exploring the vast intersection between businesses and culture in the internet age. Previously, she was an associate sub-editor at Moneycontrol, the online financial news publication owned by Network18.
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