How Digital Twins Are Changing Marketing and Customer Experience
Leverage AI-powered replicas to scale engagement, increase productivity, and stay ahead—without the Silicon Valley budget
If I had a Silicon Valley budget, you'd be wowed by my very own digital twin right now. Instead, this is Joshua Xu the founder of HeyGen in the video, in his digital glory. However, I did write the script for this AI stand-in, but it's not exactly me.
More about HeyGen later.
Now, imagine if my Digital Twin did exist. It could attend meetings while I sleep, speak multiple languages, or even become a virtual influencer.
Sounds crazy, right?
But as you can see, this is no longer science fiction.
It’s getting closer.
This week:
Digital Twins Explained
The Tech Behind Digital Twins
Applications of Digital Twins in Marketing
Practical Use Cases
The Dark Side
Future Trends
My Final Thoughts
The Rabbit Hole (for those that want to dig deeper)
Let's get started.
Digital Twins Explained
So, what exactly is a digital twin?
Digital human twins are based on a concept NASA first articulated in the early 2000s, with ideas dating back to the 1960s. NASA used Digital Twins to improve mission reliability by creating virtual models of spacecraft for simulation and monitoring.
Today, this technology has evolved, and we're now creating digital human twins.
Forget those clunky video game avatars.
We're talking about AI-powered replicas designed to look, sound, and (maybe one day) even think like you.
Your digital twin would learn your mannerisms, speech patterns, and even those weird facial expressions you make when you think no one's watching.
And hey, if we can clone sheep, why not digital humans?
Imagine your digital twin responding to emails, sitting through those endless Zoom meetings, or even churning out social media content while you're living your best life. It's like having a personal assistant, but with your face (and questionable fashion sense).
The Tech Behind Digital Twins
I'll admit, I was skeptical about the whole digital twin thing until I stumbled upon a use case that actually made sense to me.
I've always wanted to write a book (who hasn't?), but the thought of recording an audiobook was less appealing.
That's when I discovered the magic of digital voice twin.
I researched who is doing this today and found that companies like Eleven Labs are leading the way.
They use deep learning algorithms to dissect and replicate the nuances of your voice. By analysing your speech, they can reproduce your tone, pitch, cadence, and even those unique vocal quirks that make you, well, you.
But voice cloning is just the beginning.
Soul Machines creates AI-driven Digital Twins with human-like faces and behaviors for customer service. These digital humans can interact with customers in a natural and engaging manner, providing support and information just like a human representative would.
Of course, the potential applications are vast (and a little terrifying).
Imagine a world-renowned surgeon training the next generation of doctors through a digital twin that performs complex procedures with robotic precision. Or a virtual therapist offering mental health support around the clock. It's both exciting and a little unnerving, isn't it?
Applications of Digital Twins in Marketing
I believe Digital Twins might become a marketer's dream sidekick.
Think audiobooks narrated in your voice, podcasts churned out without you lifting a finger, or even a virtual version of yourself engaging with clients 24/7.
It's like having a marketing team that never sleeps.
But the possibilities go beyond marketing.
Virtual tutors are already revolutionising education, providing personalised instruction tailored to each student's needs.
AI companions like Replika offer emotional support and companionship. In Japan people seek romantic connection with AI chatbots.
Real World Examples
Virtual Tutors: Carnegie Mellon University has developed virtual tutors that act as Digital Twins of teachers. These tutors can provide personalised instruction to students, adapting to their learning styles and needs to enhance the educational experience.
Virtual Assistants: Replika is an AI chatbot that creates a digital twin of its user to provide companionship and mental health support. By learning from the user's interactions, Replika can engage in personalised conversations, offering a unique and supportive experience.
Influencers: Picture a virtual influencer like Lil Miquela, but instead of being a fictional character, it's the digital twin of a real person, blurring the lines between reality and the virtual world.
How To Create A Digital Twin
Whether you're looking to create a digital human based on your appearance or virtual assistants for your global market, the process is straightforward.
You usually start by scanning a real person to create a 3D model, or use software to build one from scratch.
AI then steps in to add a photorealistic appearance, natural movements, and speech capabilities.
Step-by-Step Guide:
3D Scanning: Capture a detailed 3D model of your face and body.
AI Training: Use AI to analyse your speech patterns, mannerisms, and behaviors.
Integration: Combine the 3D model with AI to create a functional digital twin.
It might sound complex, but it's actually quite simple:
Tip: For a step-by-step instruction on how to do this with HeyGen check the video in “The Rabbit Hole“ section.
The Dark Side
Digital twins show how much we are willing to trade privacy for convenience. As we use this technology, we need to face its ethical, social, and economic challenges.
Consent and Cloning Without Permission: Imagine someone decided to clone you without asking? Recently, Scarlett Johansson threatened legal action against OpenAI for allegedly copying and imitating her voice after she refused to license it to the company. Not cool, right?
Ethical Use and Fake News: Bad actors could use digital twins to spread misinformation, create deepfakes, or damage reputations.
Bullying and Harassment: Cyberbullying could take on a whole new (and disturbing) dimension with digital twins.
Plus watch out for the dangers of Evil Digital Twins.
Future Trends
Here is what i think we can expect:
More Emotional Intelligence: Digital twins might become even more emotionally responsive, making interactions feel eerily human. Think “Her”.
Integration with AR/VR: Imagine interacting with a virtual tour guide that looks and sounds just like a real person. The possibilities are mind-boggling.
Expanded Use Cases: From healthcare to education to entertainment, digital twins could revolutionize entire industries.
My Final Thoughts
This isn't a far off distant sci-fi fantasy.
It's getting closer, it's knocking on your door, and it has your face and voice.
Digital Twins might redefine what it means to be human.
Sure, there are ethical concerns and potential pitfalls to avoid. But this isn't a trend you can ignore.
The question isn't if digital twins will become the norm, but when.
And more importantly, do we really need more of ourselves running around in the digital world?
The Rabbit Hole - For Those Who Want to go Deeper
Check out these hand-picked resources:
How To Create Your Own Digital Twin:
Good Reads:
The CEO of Zoom wants AI clones in meetings: Eric Yuan, who turned your messy bedroom into a boardroom, now wants to unleash your AI doppelganger on the corporate world.
Digital Twins and Generative AI: Marketing Makeover: Ditch the Smoke and Mirrors. Digital Twins, Powered by AI and Your Own Data, Are the Only Magic Trick You Need.
The rise of human Digital Twins and why we’re — virtually — cloning people: This Tech Might Change Your Life, But Don't Forget the Fine Print. Let's Talk Safety and Ethics Before You Break Anything.
Good Watch:
I Challenged My AI Clone to Replace Me for 24 Hours | WSJ: New AI voice and video tools can look and sound like you. But can they fool your family—or bank?
Ted Talk — How “Digital Twins” Could Help Us Predict the Future | Karen Willcox: Aerospace engineer Karen Willcox explains how these virtual models, created from your everyday data, are revolutionising healthcare, climate science, and more. Get ready for personalised medicine and smarter decision-making.
Ted Talk —Will your digital twin make you healthier? | Jacqueline Alderson: Biomechanist Jacqueline Alderson explores how sophisticated simulations based on real data can help prevent disease, illness and injury.