Move Over, Humans! AI-Generated Stars Are Taking Over the K-Pop World

With the advancement of AI technology, it’s become more and more apparent that humans are no longer needed for certain roles and processes.

Case in point are K-Pop groups that are comprised of AI generated members. Isn’t it shocking to think that one day, people like Lisa or Jennie from BLACKPINK would have to compete with computer-generated artists who will never feel tired?

Hong Kong based CNN Journalist Jake Kwon took to his Twitter account to showcase this.

He wrote, “The latest advances in AI tech are making virtual K-pop stars more believable and easier to make than ever.”

Speaking to the makers of virtual K-Pop groups, MAVE and IITERNITI, he was told that none of the groups’ members are ‘real’. Even their songs are created by AI and then tweaked by humans.

“Instead, their faces were generated using AI tools based on the most marketable characteristics. IITERNITI’s 11 members are played by a team of human actors who lend their talents: singing, dancing, skateboarding, acting, whose faces are then deepfaked,”

“Their songs are first generated by AI and then edited by humans,” he explained.

Though, unlike IITERNITI, MAVE’s 4 members were generated from scratch using CGI.

The accessibility of such technology was made it easier for companies to push out copies of real stars at a low cost. 

“And while these virtual stars are about half human and half AI right now, the companies are pushing to make them more and more AI generated. The next step is to animate the body, the companies told me,” he added.

Soon, people will be able to interact with their favourite virtual K-Pop star through their mobile phones.

“What’s the endgame? Kang, who is the tech director in charge of MAVE, said it is to give each fan a virtual BFF that can be accessed like Apple’s Siri. Available 24 hours, and remembers every conversation you shared, all in your pocket,”

“Referring to the 2013 film ‘Her’, Kang said people will be able to share their deepest feelings with these charming and attractive stars. It may even cure loneliness. Unlike human counterparts, they will never be tired and forever positive. They can be more personable than real people. Always be ‘on’ to give you a positive interaction,” he shared.

This leads to one question, will these virtual stars eventually replace human talents?

Check this out and let us know:

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