Picture the scene: you're stuck in an endless Zoom meeting, boredom creeping in, and your concentration faltering. You want to disappear, teleport to a deserted beach, or simply get back to working on something more stimulating. What if I told you that now you can do just that, at least virtually? Thanks to virtual double, your presence in a video call can be “delegated” to a digital avatar: an AI clone that represents you on the screen.
While your virtual double he nods and smiles at the boss's comments, you can devote yourself to more pleasant or productive activities. Pickle AI is the company that made this little (or big?) find in the world of remote work possible. But beware: the line between brilliant innovation and disturbing manipulation is thin.
The era of virtual doubles has begun
The products of artificial intelligence generative, type Chat GPT, are not just for asking weird questions or browsing the web in an alternative way. Sometimes, they can solve real-life problems. Like, creating a virtual double that joins Zoom meetings for you. It seems crazy, but that's exactly what it offers Pickle AI.
Made popular by the pandemic, video chat platforms such as Zoom are still central to our lives, especially for those who work from home. If you're inundated with meetings and video calls, Zoom It's probably installed on all your devices. Pickle AI It allows you to be present at those calls without being there really.
You will still be "on line", you will listen and you will be able to intervene, but your virtual double created by Pickle AI. Your digital double will lip-sync with your voice. What do you think?
How to create a virtual double
The process of creating your virtual double is, all in all, simple. At least, that's what it promises. Pickle AI. Just record a 5-minute video, upload it to the platform and wait a couple of days. Artificial intelligence will do the rest, “training” your Pickle to become a perfect digital replacement.
Once created, you can use your virtual double not only on Zoom, but also on other popular platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and all major videoconferencing services.
Of course, the service isn't free. And it couldn't be, given the technological complexity behind it. Making an avatar's mouth move in sync with your voice, in any language, isn't exactly a walk in the park. The "Basic" plan costs $24 a month and includes 1.000 minutes of use and the creation of an unlimited number of Pickle. The “Pro” plan goes up to $60 per month for 5.000 minutes. The choice is yours, based on how many hours you spend on Zoom.
Limitations and alternatives
Of course, AI technology is not foolproof. And Pickle AI is no exception. Before you blindly trust your virtual double, keep in mind that there may be glitches. A sudden interruption in the video, a lip-synch… You can always blame it on the unstable internet connection, or pretend to be the heir of Max headroom (Who remembers that?) In the long run, however, it could become annoying.
Another limitation, for now, is compatibility. Pickle AI It only works on Mac. No versions for iPhone, iPad, or worse yet, Windows. This is bad news for most users, as many use Windows for work video calls. Hopefully there will be versions for other platforms in the future.
In the meantime, there is the cheaper and more banal alternative: simply tell your colleagues that you will be attending the next meeting only in audio. Maybe you will find that it is not so essential to show your smiling face at all costs. Sometimes, the simplest solution is also the best.
