Tavus has created a brand new AI-powered Santa at santa.tavus.io so you possibly can have what it says is a ‘shockingly actual’ dialog with Santa with out going to see a mall Santa. The AI Santa is backed by Y Combinator, Sequoia, and Peter Thiel. Whereas the decision is free, there’s sure to be a monetization scheme someplace behind this computerized Santa, and it does require your electronic mail handle. Nonetheless, AI Santa makes use of the Conversational Video Interface (CVI) from Tavus, and it is extremely observant — it even commented on objects in my room.
Although I’m sufficiently old to play Santa Claus with minimal effort within the make-up division, I completely loved a heartwarming viewers with the AI Santa. At this new seasonal interactive website, you possibly can chat with AI Santa, inform him what you need for Christmas, and share some seasonal cheer.
Sadly, my real-time video chat with the jolly AI Santa was fruitless. Regardless of incomes an ideal naughty vs. good ratio, the Elves’ name transcript emailed to me says I wanted for nothing… In fact, that is not true. As a devoted Tom’s {Hardware} hound, I might requested for a brand new PC! Did Santa neglect my needs as he had an excessive amount of sherry? Is he too tight to purchase me a brand new pc, or is this one other instance of AI tech being unreliable?
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If you’re curious sufficient to hit the AI Santa hyperlink, you will be greeted with a fastidiously crafted traditional Santa in full regalia. He eagerly awaits your clicking of the ‘Discuss to Santa’ button as he sits in his picture-postcard-perfect Christmas lounge in entrance of a roaring fireplace.
As soon as clicked, you will be requested to be part of a video name with Santa and allow digital camera and microphone entry “so Santa can see and listen to you.” Will this AI save the video name with me for coaching or different functions? There have been no T&Cs, small print, or comparable to be discovered on the primary web page.
Santa’s spiel begins with him bidding you to “Inform me your Christmas needs – and I will let you know in case you’ve been naughty or good.” He subsequently makes dialog about what you wished for. The chat expertise was fairly pure, and he cleverly requested about what I’d be doing with my desired Christmas current.
Keen to guarantee my place on the good record – and keep away from any hints at naughtiness – I used to be at my well mannered finest throughout the chat, which appeared to earn me some ‘good factors.’ In the event you additionally need to guarantee an important naughty vs. good ratio, you possibly can simply attraction Santa by providing to depart out mince pies and sherry on Christmas Eve. Repeatedly saying Merry Christmas, Seasons Greetings, and so forth additionally appeared to increase my ‘niceness’ vitality bar.
After the chat concluded, I felt a heat glow of Christmassnessyness, or no matter it is known as. I am unable to keep in mind again to after I final spoke to Santa, however this AI Santa appeared very personable and, as a bonus, I did not have to sit on his knee. An emailed transcript from Santa’s Elves appears to have glossed over my PC {hardware} needs. Nonetheless, the e-mail knowledgeable me that I might “crushed it on the good record… [and] possibly, simply possibly, that wishlist will come true.” I am certain it will, as a result of AI Santa thinks I did not need something.
Getting critical – promoting a Conversational Video Interface (CVI)
The AI Santa’s underlying tech contains APIs that perceive multimodal inputs, ship silent body segmentation and superior 3D rendering, supply sentiment evaluation, and help 30 languages.
Tavus says that this is mainly a festive showcase of its APIs, “that are already being utilized in manufacturing throughout industries like healthcare, schooling, recruiting, and buyer help.” Demonstrating its flexibility, you’re invited to fork, deploy, and customise the demo through the hyperlink on the AI Santa website.