Ever wished you could remember a loved one or legend by simply taking a photo or painting of them and then having their presence come to life like a Harry Potter portraits? Well, chances are you haven’t, but that’s okay because it’s happening anyway thanks to vastly superior magic: Artificial Intelligence.
A new AI-powered service called Deep Nostalgia from the online genealogy company MyHeritage is using AI to create the effect that a still photo is moving. The program uses pre-recorded driver videos of facial movements and applies the one that works best for the still photo in question, allowing them to move in a way that appears both realistic and creepy at the same time. Though it can also be a good way for many people to remember their deceased loved ones better.
As with all things with good intentions, there are people that are using the technology to bring creepy photos and still images to life. However, it does showcase just how powerful and lifelike this technology is:
This is a similar technology that most deep fake AI utilises, though thankfully is used for a much more noble purpose this time around. It does show you exactly what is capable with the technology though and it’s not hard to image than in a few years’ time we could have people digitally brought to life and behaving in a variety of ways that would seem as real as if they were actually there in real life.
And possibly used to inject some personality in Darryn. Though perhaps we are still a long way from the latter happening and I am being a little too optimistic about what is capable through this technology.
Last Updated: March 2, 2021
