As part of an ongoing collaboration with the Scott-Morgan Foundation<\/a>, Lenovo proposed developing an AI-powered avatar to leap past traditional voice synthesis and transform communication and connection for people with severe disabilities. The Foundation invited Erin Taylor, a 24-year-old woman recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disorder that typically leads to full-body paralysis, to participate and help pilot a proof of concept for assistive communication.<\/p>\n Lenovo then approached DeepBrain AI<\/a>, a leader in next-gen avatars and a Lenovo AI Innovator partner<\/a>, to use its generative AI technology. Sponsored by Lenovo, the DeepBrain AI team captured a detailed full-body video of Taylor in its California studio. The video became the foundational data for her new AI avatar, debuted at CES 2024, and offering 96 percent true-to-life accuracy. Preview the avatar on YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a fantastic example of the untapped potential of generative AI to empower individuals and build a more inclusive future, especially with such visionary collaborators,\u201d said Scott Tease, vice president and general manager of High-Performance Computing and AI at Lenovo. \u201cLeveraging our expansive solutions portfolio and in-house expertise, we love finding these opportunities to reimagine what\u2019s possible and help solve humanity\u2019s greatest challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n Lenovo\u2019s AI data scientists also developed a prototype for a new predictive AI tool to accelerate text input when a traditional keyboard or voice-to-speech technology is not an option\u2014as with advanced ALS. The personal, on-device AI operates entirely offline, leveraging a compressed large language model (LLM) to offer the speed, reliability, and accuracy essential when communicating health information or other urgent needs. This follows Lenovo\u2019s approach to Hybrid AI<\/a>, operating across public, private, and personal foundation models that the company unveiled at its annual Tech World event in October 2023<\/a>.<\/p>\n Unlike common predictive text engines that provide a single suggestion, this novel AI solution provides multiple options after each character input to better assist users.<\/p>\n The Scott-Morgan Foundation and Lenovo AI experts are working to integrate the predictive AI into the backend of their integrated communication platform showcased at CES<\/a>. The platform combines the avatar, an original circular keyboard optimized for eye-gaze tracking, and multimodal inputs to support a wide range of physical capabilities.<\/p>\n \u201cOur vision is built on a commitment to ensuring a universal right to thrive through technology,\u201d said Andrew Morgan, chief executive officer of the Scott-Morgan Foundation. \u201cAI is accelerating work we began years ago, and our brilliant collaborators are helping us completely change the accessibility landscape. Collectively, we are lighting a beacon for what\u2019s possible\u2014not just for people with ALS, but for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n At CES, the avatar and related solutions were shown using several Lenovo devices optimized for their flexibility and unique strengths in harnessing the power of AI. This included a Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i premium consumer desktop PC running the AI avatar and a high-performance Lenovo ThinkPad P1 mobile workstation running the predictive text AI prototype. The Scott-Morgan Foundation\u2019s circular keyboard and Irisbond\u2019s eye-gaze tracking technology<\/a> were also tested directly by Taylor in her home using a donated Lenovo Yoga 7i laptop that\u2019s powerful and portable. Lenovo also debuted a full suite of consumer and enterprise technology at CES<\/a> dedicated to unleashing the potential of AI for productivity and play.<\/p>\n The DeepBrain AI avatar technology was originally developed to power generative AI humans or assistants\u2014such as the one showcased at a recent Lenovo Formula 1 event<\/a>\u2014or to create versatile \u201ctwins\u201d of celebrities, sports figures, or other influencers. Here, DeepBrain recognized a chance to deploy its proprietary technology as assistive tech.<\/p>\n DeepBrain AI gave Taylor complementary access to its AI Studios, empowering her to create a nearly unlimited stream of digital content.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are constantly amazed at how our partners and clients think of new ways to use AI-generated video. Lenovo had the foresight to share their vision on how this technology could be implemented as a component of an assistive technology platform,\u201d said Eric Jang, CEO of DeepBrain AI. \u201cFuture developments at DeepBrain will enable hyper-realistic avatars for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n After a brief series of escalating symptoms, Taylor was diagnosed with ALS in the summer of 2023. Her career in botany, forestry, and related work in the wild was abruptly paused as she and her mother faced countless questions about the progression of the disease. The shock was especially potent given the disease primarily affects people over the age of 40.<\/p>\n \u201cFeeling so devastated and lost, we were grateful to the Scott-Morgan Foundation for inviting us to help build something new and shape the future,\u201d said Taylor, who lives outside Los Angeles with her mother, Lily. \u201cThe avatar is incredible, but what matters most to me is that this technology could help change the lives of many more people facing ALS or other diseases\u2014a way of showing how bright the future can still be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have no doubt this pioneering proof of concept will one day help shape even more staggering innovations,\u201d Morgan said. \u201cOur foundation was built on the dream that technology, and AI especially, can break through severe disabilities and ensure a right to create, connect, and live life joyfully. We\u2019re making that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Learn more about Lenovo\u2019s vision of AI for all<\/a>, the Scott-Morgan Foundation\u2019s transformational work<\/a>, and DeepBrain AI\u2019s avatar technology<\/a>.<\/p>\n About Lenovo<\/b><\/p>\n Lenovo is a US$62 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #217 in the Fortune Global 500, employing 77,000 people around the world, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world\u2019s largest PC company by further expanding into growth areas that fuel the advancement of \u2018New IT\u2019 technologies (client, edge, cloud, network, and intelligence) including server, storage, mobile, software, solutions, and services. This transformation together with Lenovo\u2019s world-changing innovation is building a more inclusive, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992)(ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https:\/\/www.lenovo.com<\/a>, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub<\/a>.<\/p>\n About DeepBrain AI<\/b><\/p>\n DeepBrain AI humanizes digital interactions by utilizing real-time Artificial Intelligence (AI) and video synthesis solutions to generate the world’s fastest and most realistic human-like AI avatars. The company’s proprietary, patent-led technology adds a human touch to all digital content and interactions, reducing the cost and time of video production and improving the quality of digital engagement. DeepBrain AI is at the forefront of modern digital experiences and has significantly impacted various industries, such as media, finance, commerce, hospitality, and education.<\/p>\n About the Scott-Morgan Foundation<\/b><\/p>\n The UK-based Scott-Morgan Foundation focuses on pioneering technology-driven solutions to empower people with severe disabilities. The Foundation develops both bold proof-of-concepts to inspire a brighter future and more immediate, scalable solutions. Learn more about the Scott-Morgan Foundation<\/a>. Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, and LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n View source version on businesswire.com: https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20240109052328\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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