Google's AI 3D avatars are giving uncanny valley vibes

Video calls are part and parcel of the hybrid working revolution, and they're a regular part of many creatives' communication with clients. As a result, we're always interested in tech that could upgrade the experience (the best monitors with webcams, for example), but Google's latest idea is giving major uncanny valley vibes.

Video conferencing software like Microsoft Teams and Apple's FaceTime already allow us to send cartoon 3D avatars to meetings in our place (we still have to be there and speak, we just don't have to show our faces). But Google's experimenting with AI-powered tech that would replace that solution with more realistic 3D avatars... realistic in the sense of a '90s video game, that is. 

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

TOPICS
Joe Foley

Joe is a regular freelance journalist and editor at Creative Bloq. He writes news, features and buying guides and keeps track of the best equipment and software for creatives, from video editing programs to monitors and accessories. A veteran news writer and photographer, he now works as a project manager at the London and Buenos Aires-based design, production and branding agency Hermana Creatives. There he manages a team of designers, photographers and video editors who specialise in producing visual content and design assets for the hospitality sector. He also dances Argentine tango.

Latest in 3D
Sonic the Hedgehog
Someone remade Sonic the Hedgehog's Green Hill Zone for Game Boy, and I want to play it right now
Anycubic sale
Anycubic has yet another sale on 3D printers – but these discount codes are slicing prices
Prologue: Go Wayback!; computer generated scenes from a video game showing mountains, forests and woodlands
PUBG creator's next game might be too brutal – and that's exactly the point
Muse AI; a head breathes fire
Microsoft's Muse AI wants to change how games are made - but can it work?
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra review
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra review: A resin printer that isn't as scary to use as I thought
Filament dryer
Should you buy a filament dryer for your 3D printer?
Latest in News
OFFF rebrand
These are the talks I won’t be skipping at OFFF Barcelona 2025
Photoshop on iPhone; A vibrant digital collage features a person seated on a vinyl record, which is suspended in mid-air amidst a colorful array of flowers and a partly visible cityscape.
Adobe Photoshop is now on iPhone – and it's free!
Duolingo mascot on an orange background
The Duolingo owl is back from the dead – what now?
Samsung Tab S9+ and A9+ on a read deals background
Save $191 on a Samsung Tab S9+ and bag a deal on the A9+ too with these latest savings
iPad Air deal
The price of my favourite iPad Air has fallen by $200
Durex ad
I’m loving the saucy brand banter between Ikea and Durex