It’s no secret that technology has been transforming the entertainment industry for
decades. From humble beginnings as short, silent and black-and-white films, animated
movies have evolved into breathtaking, highly realistic immersive experiences. However,
beyond the movies, bringing one’s favorite characters to life was only possible with
costumes. But that’s all changing thanks to the power of AI.
Thanks to platforms like Character.AI and Dopple.AI, characters from books, movies, TV
shows and history are now being brought to life in exciting new ways. This new breed of
entertainment companies now uses sophisticated algorithms and machine learning to
create realistic, believable digital replicas of popular figures and characters.
“One of the most interesting aspects of AI is its potential to change how we consume
entertainment,” said Dopple Labs Co-Founder Isaac Nakash. “Instead of passive viewing
experiences, fans can now have individualized interactions with their favorite characters,
or what we call Dopples, in real-time. For example, on our platform, anyone can have a
unique, one-on-one conversation with the likes of James Bond, Son Goku, Mother Theresa
or dozens of other personas. This brings fans a much more immersive and engaging
experience than what was previously available.”
Raising Decacorns
With 56% of Gen-Zers engaged in online-only friendships, the market for AI-powered
clones seems to have limitless potential. That has investors betting big on companies
within the space. Character.AI recently closed a $150 Million Series A, with a valuation
rumored to be around $5 to $10 Billion. And before it even had a product to show, Dopple
Labs, creators of Dopple.AI, raised a $2 million seed round at a $50 Million valuation.
However, as Dopple Labs heads into its Series A raise, its funding and valuation numbers
are expected to grow significantly. One of the reasons for that is the growing popularity of
Dopple.AI. The platform introduced its Beta in August, and in that month alone, more than
100,000 people exchanged over 10 million messages with Dopples. Fast forward to
October, when the platform had more than 1.2 million visits.
Chasing A $100 Billion Market
“While a good majority of AI startups are focused on business applications, the
entertainment market is vast and growing quickly,” said Todd DeMatteo, Senior Executive
Director at Bankers Capital International. “With a CAGR of nearly 27%, our research shows
that the market could grow to around $100 Billion by 2030. And this has our friends in the
VC world aggressively competing to own a piece of what could be the next big thing.”
But what sets Dopple.AI apart from others in the growing marketplace?
“Most of the current platforms are rigid and follow predetermined conversation
patterns,” added Nakash. “They are not designed to think independently, and they can’t
learn. But our technology enables Dopples to learn from their interactions with humans
and become better at holding conversations. This could even lead to a future where users
can’t differentiate between our Dopples and the real thing.”
Battling Loneliness
Beyond entertainment, Dopples also have potential benefits for emotional well-being.
They can extend beyond fandom and serve as virtual companions or friends, providing
emotional support and conversation for people feeling lonely or isolated. This is
important because loneliness is now considered to be a public health crisis in America.
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy even released an advisory calling attention to this.
According to the advisory, the physical health consequences of poor or insufficient
connection include a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke
and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults. Additionally, a lack of
social connection increases the risk of premature death by more than 60%.
“Whether we like to admit it or not, the world can be a lonely place,” said Nakash. “And the
best medicine for loneliness is companionship, which is something else our Dopples
provide. So why not hang out with your favorite character, who can also be your friend,
confidant and source of fun?”
What’s Next for Dopple Labs?
Although Dopple Labs is currently focused on building a portfolio of its own Dopples, in the
near future, anyone that wants to will be able to create their very own Dopple. And as the
technology becomes more widespread, Nakash expects to see people everywhere creating
Dopples.
“We see a future where everyone has the ability to create clones of themselves, family
members, characters and more,” he said.
Nakash also revealed that Dopple.AI will soon offer voice and video-driven conversations.
This means that users can ask questions, seek advice, or simply have a friendly chat with
their favorite personas using their preferred way of communicating.
