At this year’s DIDS (Serbian Internet Domain Day) conference, a key speaker captured the audience’s attention—not for her expertise, but because she wasn’t real. Dr. Emily Roberts, presented as a seasoned professional in digital marketing and an advocate for ethical AI, was in fact an AI-generated persona. This character was created as part of a social experiment to highlight the potential and challenges of artificial intelligence.
The Creation of Dr. Emily Roberts
The concept behind Dr. Roberts was devised by Dane Blačić, a technologist with over two decades of experience in computer graphics, and Marijana Borković, a digital marketing expert. The idea emerged during a brainstorming session at another conference in Niš. They decided that the best way to educate the public about AI, deepfakes, and internet security would be to demonstrate these technologies live.
Using various AI tools, they developed Dr. Emily Roberts, who was designed to deliver a keynote lecture at DIDS. The tools used included ChatGPT for generating her background and lecture content, Midjourney for her appearance, ElevenLabs.ai for her voice, and several other AI and machine learning tools for synchronizing and animating her presentation.
The Impact and Reaction
Dr. Roberts’ presentation, which focused on the ethical implications of AI and deepfake technology, was delivered convincingly enough that only a few attendees realized something was amiss. It was only after her speech that the creators revealed the true nature of “Dr. Roberts,” demonstrating the power and potential risks of AI-generated content.
The experiment drew significant media attention, with over 50 interviews given to domestic outlets, underscoring the public’s growing interest in artificial intelligence and its applications.
Broader Implications
The successful deployment of Dr. Emily Roberts at DIDS serves as a powerful example of how AI can be used not just for practical applications but also as a tool for education and raising awareness. The project highlighted both the potential benefits of AI in enhancing presentations and the need for vigilance against the misuse of AI-generated content.
As AI continues to evolve, its role in conferences and public speaking is likely to expand, offering both opportunities and challenges. The DIDS experiment with Dr. Roberts has set a new precedent in how AI can be integrated into educational settings, making it clear that the future of conferences may involve a mix of human and AI-generated presenters.
