AI meets 3D hologram tech

Holographic devices combine 3D projections with AI, allowing users to interact through speech and gestures

- Leslie D'Monte

It's not every day that you get to see or interact in person with Bollywood superstar and Kaun Banega Crorepati anchor Amitabh Bachchan. But if you visit the Juhu branch of IDFC FIRST Bank in Mumbai, you can engage with an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered holographic avatar of the veteran actor, who is the bank's brand ambassador.

Developed in partnership with Ikonz Studios, the Holographic Extended Reality (HXR) device offers the bank's customers an opportunity to interact with Bachchan's digital avatar and get information on its products and services. The use of 3D holograms is not new. Back in 2012, Narendra Modi used a 3D holographic avatar to address people in Gujarat when he was chief minister. Two years later, he spoke to the nation as prime minister from more than 100 locations simultaneously.

AI-powered 3D holograms, however, promise to enhance the engagement. Last month, Amsterdam-based Alicia Framis married an AI 3D hologram to fulfill her need for companionship. Describing the marriage as "a romantic relationship between a human and AI," Framis asserted on her website that "robots and humans will soon become sexual partners" but "the next important step is emotionally connecting humans with AI. Holograms are closer to her emotions than robots."