![Microsoft teases lifelike avatar AI tech but gives no release date](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/4a/b1/12/Microsoft-teases-lifelike-avatar-AI-754114.jpg)
-
Jamaica's De Cordova-Reid joins Leicester from Fulham
-
Wolves' Kilman reunites with Lopetegui at West Ham
-
Schmidt reign off to winning start as Australia beat Wales 25-16
-
Russian wrestlers reject Olympics invitation
-
Raducanu rediscovers Wimbledon 'fun' factor after turbulent spell
-
Winning all that matters at Euro 2024 for Mbappe's minimalist France
-
Eight dead, two million affected by Bangladesh floods
-
Robertson pleased to 'find a way' past England in tough Test baptism
-
Martin sets lap record to secure German MotoGP pole
-
'Shattered' Germany set sights on World Cup after Euros exit
-
Olympic hope Pedersen pulls out of Tour de France
-
Djokovic eyes sweet 16 at Wimbledon as Swiatek takes on 'gangster'
-
End beckons again for Ronaldo after Portugal Euros KO
-
New Zealand edge England 16-15 in tense, brutal first Test
-
Turkey take on Dutch in politically charged Euros quarter-final, England face Swiss
-
Calling for better ties with West, Iran reformist wins presidency
-
Cybercrime groups restructuring after major takedowns: experts
-
Activists hail Sierra Leone child marriage ban, urge action on FGM
-
Marsch relishing Canada's semi clash with Argentina
-
Canada stun Venezuela on penalties to reach Copa semis
-
Iran reformist Pezeshkian holds early lead in runoff vote
-
Swiatek faces 'gangster' threat, Djokovic feels need for Wimbledon speed
-
France holds its breath ahead of uncertain vote
-
Starmer begins UK 'rebuild' after landslide election win
-
Paris's Moulin Rouge inaugurates new windmill sails ahead of Olympics
-
Pan, Rai share halfway lead in PGA John Deere Classic
-
'I was feeling terrible' in debate, Biden says in TV interview
-
France coach Deschamps savours ending penalty hoodoo, defends Mbappe
-
Thompson bids farewell to Warriors after exit
-
Portugal exit Euros with pride, will return stronger: Martinez
-
UK's new PM Starmer speaks to world leaders, names top team
-
Spain and France to face off in Euros last four, Turkey lament 'unfair' Demiral ban
-
Israel says negotiators to hold fresh Gaza truce talks next week
-
France beat Portugal on penalties to reach Euro 2024 semi-finals
-
Endrick to start for Brazil in Uruguay Copa clash: Dorival
-
Heartbreak for Germany fans after dramatic Euros exit
-
Beryl heads for Texas after causing damage, no deaths in Mexico
-
Nagelsmann laments late penalty decision as hosts Germany exit Euros
-
Biden declares he's all in ahead of high-risk TV interview
-
Spain team 'is a winning horse', says De la Fuente
-
Bows at the ready, Chad villagers battle kidnappings
-
Alcaraz mimics Bellingham goal celebration after Wimbledon win
-
Olmo hopes Pedri can make speedy return for Euros semi-finalists Spain
-
Retiring Kroos hopeful despite Germany's 'bitter' Euros exit
-
Southgate turns on English 'entitlement' over claims of easy Euros draw
-
Merino extra-time goal sends Spain past Germany to Euro semis
-
Koeman demands Dutch silence fervent Turkish fans at Euros
-
Brad Pitt at Silverstone for filming of F1 movie
-
Raducanu storms into Wimbledon last 16
-
California fires spread in July 4 weekend heatwave
![Microsoft teases lifelike avatar AI tech but gives no release date](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/4a/b1/12/Microsoft-teases-lifelike-avatar-AI-754114.jpg)
Microsoft teases lifelike avatar AI tech but gives no release date
Researchers at Microsoft have revealed a new artificial tool that can create deeply realistic human avatars -- but offered no timetable to make it available to the public, citing concerns about facilitating deep fake content.
The AI model known as VASA-1, for "visual affective skills," can create an animated video of a person talking, with synchronized lip movements, using just a single image and a speech audio clip.
Disinformation researchers fear rampant misuse of AI-powered applications to create "deep fake" pictures, video, and audio clips in a pivotal election year.
"We are opposed to any behavior to create misleading or harmful contents of real persons," wrote the authors of the VASA-1 report, released this week by Microsoft Research Asia.
"We are dedicated to developing AI responsibly, with the goal of advancing human well-being," they said.
"We have no plans to release an online demo, API, product, additional implementation details, or any related offerings until we are certain that the technology will be used responsibly and in accordance with proper regulations."
Microsoft researchers said the technology can capture a wide spectrum of facial nuances and natural head motions.
"It paves the way for real-time engagements with lifelike avatars that emulate human conversational behaviors," researchers said in the post.
VASA can work with artistic photos, songs, and non-English speech, according to Microsoft.
Researchers touted potential benefits of the technology such as providing virtual teachers to students or therapeutic support to people in need.
"It is not intended to create content that is used to mislead or deceive," they said.
VASA videos still have "artifacts" that reveal they are AI-generated, according to the post.
ProPublica technology lead Ben Werdmuller said he'd be "excited to hear about someone using it to represent them in a Zoom meeting for the first time."
"Like, how did it go? Did anyone notice?" he said on social network Threads.
ChatGPT-maker OpenAI in March revealed a voice-cloning tool called "Voice Engine" that can essentially duplicate someone's speech based on a 15-second audio sample.
But it said it was "taking a cautious and informed approach to a broader release due to the potential for synthetic voice misuse."
Earlier this year, a consultant working for a long-shot Democratic presidential candidates admitted he was behind a robocall impersonation of Joe Biden sent to voters in New Hampshire, saying he was trying to highlight the dangers of AI.
The call featured what sounded like Biden's voice urging people not to cast ballots in the state's January's primary, sparking alarm among experts who fear a deluge of AI-powered deep fake disinformation in the 2024 White House race.
A.Motta--PC