Talking Avatar

April 17, 2024Dimitra

Main Idea

In this two-hour art class, students will embark on an engaging exploration of virtual avatar creation using AI tools within a fictional setting. Through hands-on activities and discussions, students will develop skills in utilizing AI technologies to design personalized avatars representing themselves in imaginative scenarios. Additionally, students will critically examine ethical considerations related to virtual representation, including consent, privacy, and potential risks.

Creator	Antti Ruonala
Subject	Computer science and Arts
Length	2 hours
Pedagogical Approach	Hands-on activity Interactive learning Collaborative learning Inquiry-based learning Participatory learning Project-based learning Design-oriented learning Experiential learning
Competences	Tools and applications: competencies that enable a profound understanding of content generation tools, its possibilities and validation. Implications: competencies that enable to understand GAIs social, ethical and privacy implications. Attitudes: competencies that enable awareness of the responsible and critical use of GAI, the positivity, and the confidence in the use of GAI. Social implications: – fakes and misinformation
Grades	Grades 10-12
Technologies	Computers or tablets with internet access. Students will use: artguru.ai for portrait modification https://chat.openai.com/ for script heygen.com for talking avatar video
Evaluation	Discussion

Learning Activities

Description

Introduction to Virtual Avatar Creation and AI Tools (20 minutes):

Teacher Activity: Provide an overview of virtual avatar creation and the AI tools to be used, including artguru.ai, ChatGPT, and Heygen.com. Demonstrate the capabilities of each tool through examples and explanations.

Student Activity: Listen attentively to the teacher’s explanation, ask questions to clarify doubts, and take notes on the features and functionalities of the AI tools.

Avatar Design and Customization (60 minutes):

Teacher Activity: Guide students through the process of using artguru.ai to generate fictional versions based on a picture of real person they upload which can be of themselves or someone else. Then customize the avatars to fit within their chosen fictional setting. Offer assistance and feedback as students navigate the customization options.

Student Activity: Use artguru.ai to generate and prompt fictional versions, then customize the avatars by selecting appropriate features, accessories, and settings that align with their chosen fictional setting.

Script Generation with ChatGPT (20 minutes):

Teacher Activity: Instruct students on how to use ChatGPT to generate dialogue for their avatars, providing guidance on input prompts and encouraging creativity in crafting narratives.

Student Activity: Input prompts into ChatGPT to generate dialogue for their avatars, focusing on describing daily life, culture, and experiences within the fictional setting. Experiment with different prompts and refine the generated dialogue.

Animation Creation with Heygen.com (20 minutes):

Teacher Activity: Demonstrate how to use Heygen.com to combine the stylized portrait of their avatar with the generated audio, creating a short animation that brings their avatar to life. Provide tips on adjusting settings for optimal results. Download the animation and show how it can be inserted into a presentation slide.

Student Activity: Use Heygen.com to combine the stylized portrait of their avatar with the generated audio based on the script created ealier, creating a short animation that showcases their avatar speaking.

Ethical Considerations and Discussion (20 minutes):

Teacher Activity: Facilitate a discussion on ethical considerations related to virtual representation, addressing topics such as consent, privacy, and potential risks associated with the use of virtual avatars. Encourage students to share their perspectives and engage in critical reflection.

Student Activity: Engage in the discussion, sharing personal insights and opinions on the ethical implications of creating virtual representations. Reflect on the potential impact of virtual avatars on individuals and society as a whole.

Reflection and Conclusion (10 minutes):

Teacher Activity: Prompt students to reflect on their learning experience, encouraging them to share insights and takeaways from the session. Offer guidance on how students can apply their newfound skills and knowledge in future projects and in various media formats such as possibility of using talking avatar in video streams.

Student Activity: Reflect individually or in groups on their learning journey, discussing what they have learned about virtual avatar creation, AI tools, and ethical considerations. Consider how they can apply this knowledge in future artistic endeavors and academic pursuits.