Have you ever wanted to carry on a conversation with Joey Tribbiani from Friends but just didn’t think you’d ever have the chance to meet Matt LeBlanc in character on the street? Well your dream of chatting with Joey may be coming true sooner than you think.
Friends creator Marta Kauffman has assured everyone that a Friends movie is “never happening”, yet researchers at Leeds University may have found the next best thing.
The group of researchers is taking algorithms, facial expressions, voice patterns, and much more to make a living breathing avatar based on popular TV characters.
Naturally, the character they decide on is Joey.
The purpose of the exercise is to allow for these virtual characters to not only interact with you the consumer but possibly with other virtual characters, extending a show like ‘Friends’ all the way to eternity.
The idea sounds cool in practice, it also sounds downright terrifying when you think about it. Friends forever? Ten seasons is enough, thank you.
If this video demonstration is an example of the progress made by the researchers, there is nothing to worry about. We are a long way off from artificial intelligence taking over our day to day lives.
The computer scientists at Leeds believe this is a big first step and could lead to many more advancements in the years ahead. If it means watching Joey ask someone “how you doing” in real life, the world will be a better place.
