Artur’s company, Somnium Space, is currently testing his innovative “live forever mode” at its headquarters in Prague, Czech Republic, before its official launch. Somnium Space is a 3D metaverse platform that allows users to enter a virtual reality world using a headset.
In a way, we all want to live forever in the things that we do, and we want the idea of us, the legacy of us to live on throughout our generations,” he says. Artur has created a virtual reality tool called “live forever mode”. It features digital avatars who can simulate a person’s voice, mannerisms and movements after just 30 minutes of the user being observed.
The goal is for the avatar to live forever online as a memory of its creator so future generations of their family can interact with it. “You can get to know the person,” he says. “You can hear their voice… You get to talk to them about different topics, and you get to inject a little bit of their personality. And with time, you’d actually be more and more precise. It would be more like them. So being able to actually create an idea of me that future generations can look back upon and kind of like, say and talk to and reflect on. It’s very exciting.”
He wants his avatar to outlive him so his future relatives can experience it. He adds: “Instead of my kids having to hear stories of me and kind of make an idea of what they think I am in the past, they can actually talk to me and really know who I was, and that will give them a stronger sense of self.” Within this virtual space, users can interact as avatars, engage in various activities such as gaming, art creation, attending events, and trading virtual goods with other users.
Since its establishment in 2017, Somnium Space has been downloaded over 300,000 times, with a daily user base ranging from 50 to 250 individuals. Artur himself actively uses the platform, embodying his avatar as a blue robot. Through the use of a digital headset, Artur communicates with his avatar, creating a unique and immersive experience.
Artur has developed the “live forever mode” feature, which enables users to create digital avatars that mimic their voice, mannerisms, and movements after a short observation period of just 30 minutes. The ultimate goal of this feature is to preserve a digital memory of the user that can interact with future generations, allowing them to engage with the avatar as a representation of its creator.
While Artur sees numerous benefits to this technology, some concerns have been raised regarding the ethical implications of creating digital replicas of deceased individuals. Cyber psychologist and author, Elaine Kasket, highlights the potential exploitation of existential fears surrounding mortality for commercial gain.
Despite these concerns, Artur remains enthusiastic about the prospect of leaving a lasting legacy through his avatar. He envisions future generations being able to interact with his digital persona, gaining a deeper understanding of his personality and experiences. By providing a tangible connection to his past, Artur believes that his avatar can offer his descendants a stronger sense of self and identity.
