Meet Your Digital Self

Lenovo used their wide range of technology to bring 2 people’s online world to life.

Our research showed that Gen Z feels a divide between their on and offline world. 49% ‘only feel comfortable expressing themselves online’, leading to mental health issues like social anxiety. So, Lenovo created 2 digital avatars that could have a conversation with their real-world self and someone close to them; someone who didn’t understand this side of them. Building these avatars was an incredible technological feat, a world-first at the time of creation as it combined existing and proprietary tech. All this led to an avatar that looked, sounded and acted like their online world, with the ability to answer questions in real-time. Filming this social experiment came with its challenges too, as neither the director or crew knew what the avatar or relative would say/do. This meant every aspect of the film had to be meticulously planned, hoping for the best but planning for the worst. This included building an octagonal set to ensure no blocking, creating bespoke lighting sequences for a single take, and keeping relatives in the “dark” for months to ensure authentic reactions. But on the day, we created and captured a genuine moment between family members, bringing them closer together through technology. And, if anybody identified with the topics displayed in these films, they could reach out to a mental health charity partner. This is how Lenovo used technology and AI for good.