Term of the Moment
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Redirected from: digital avatar
Definition: avatar
A graphic identity that users select to represent themselves in a chat, instant messaging (IM), multiplayer gaming session, virtual world or social media platform. Very often, avatars are cartoon images. In a combat video game, avatars are often images of robots and soldiers. In a virtual world, an avatar can be a realistic photo-like image, a character mildly resembling the person, a cartoon or a symbol of anything.
Virtual Avatars and Deadbots
Avatars can represent actual people, not only with an exact likeness but with voice and actions mimicking the person's personality. The world of AI has brought us "grief tech," whereby a deceased person is simulated using voice samples and anecdotes to create a "deadbot" that loved ones can interact with. It might sound bizarre, but a deadbot can give comfort to spouses and close relatives.
Ancient Hindu Meaning
Coined in the gaming and 3D chat worlds, avatar is a Sanskrit word that means the incarnation of a god on earth. See VRML and digital twin.
Cartoon Avatars
A Realistic Avatar
Virtual Avatars and Deadbots
Avatars can represent actual people, not only with an exact likeness but with voice and actions mimicking the person's personality. The world of AI has brought us "grief tech," whereby a deceased person is simulated using voice samples and anecdotes to create a "deadbot" that loved ones can interact with. It might sound bizarre, but a deadbot can give comfort to spouses and close relatives.
Ancient Hindu Meaning
Coined in the gaming and 3D chat worlds, avatar is a Sanskrit word that means the incarnation of a god on earth. See VRML and digital twin.
These avatars are from AvatarDB, an earlier website that offered more than 50,000 images arranged by category.
Avatars can be created that look just like the person they represent or a facsimile thereof. In virtual worlds, such as this Second Life example, users can generally recreate themselves by choosing attributes such as skin color, head shape and hair style, as well as articles of clothing. See Second Life.