Menu
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how businesses communicate, collaborate, and engage with their audiences. Among its emerging applications, AI avatars have started to capture attention, lifelike digital representations capable of speaking, presenting, and even interacting based on scripted content or trained data. While still in their early stages, these avatars are already making their way into corporate boardrooms, livestreams, and customer engagement strategies.
Elektra, under the visionary leadership of CEO Abraham Auzan, represented Indonesia at the prestigious Digital Dialog conference held in Berlin. This global event served as a melting pot for leaders in technology, innovation, and digital inclusion, drawing an audience of influential figures and stakeholders from around the world.
From Boardrooms to Livestreams
Several high-profile executives have recently used AI avatars to deliver public addresses. The CEOs of Klarna and Zoom both appeared, or rather, their digital doubles did, during earnings calls. For Klarna, it was a chance to emphasize the company’s commitment to automation and efficiency. For Zoom, it served as a demonstration of how AI could extend communication beyond traditional limits, including delivering messages in multiple languages to global teams.
Outside the boardroom, the technology is proving commercially powerful. In China, a livestream hosted entirely by AI avatars generated millions of dollars in sales within hours, outperforming sessions led by the real hosts. These virtual presenters, trained on years of video content, were able to replicate the hosts’ speaking styles, humor, and product knowledge, without requiring breaks, large production crews, or costly physical setups.
The Appeal for Business
The potential advantages are clear. AI avatars can save time by automating routine presentations, allow leaders to “be present” in multiple settings simultaneously, and communicate in multiple languages with consistent delivery. For sectors where outreach and education are critical, avatars could offer a scalable way to reach wider audiences at lower cost. They also offer operational flexibility, enabling content production without the logistical demands of live events.
Risks and Considerations
The technology is not without its challenges. Questions around trust, authenticity, and audience perception remain. An AI avatar may be efficient, but it can also feel impersonal or detached, an issue for leaders whose role includes building trust and emotional connection. There are also risks related to misuse, such as deepfake scenarios or the spread of inaccurate information under the guise of a credible figure.
Security and governance are critical. Training an avatar often requires giving AI systems access to extensive communications data, which raises concerns about privacy and data control. Without clear policies on when and how avatars are used, organizations risk damaging their credibility.
Looking Ahead
For now, AI avatars remain a developing tool, one with both high potential and high stakes. Early adopters are testing how they can fit into workflows, from executive communications to sales and customer service. The real measure of their future will not just be how lifelike they appear, but how effectively they deliver value without compromising trust.
