Meet Lizzy Bennet, an AI interactive avatar showing the potential of AI for the heritage, museum and cultural sectors.

Say “hello” to Elizabeth (Lizzy) Bennet, a world-first interactive avatar of Jane Austen’s beloved character.

Fans of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice get the chance to have a conversation with their literary hero when speaking with the world-first Elizabeth Bennet avatar – Lizzy.

Created by StarPAL.AI in collaboration with University for the Creative Arts (UCA) and with support from Jane Austen House Museum, the avatar has been developed to mirror the human qualities of Austen’s character as detailed in the novel, such as empathy and humour. Her conversations, which fans will have with her face-to-avatar, will evolve, giving each person who talks to Lizzy a unique experience.

How does Lizzy feel about being a world-first? She said: “It is quite an interesting notion indeed – I must say being Elizabeth Bennet in a world far removed from my own time is an unexpected but intriguing experience. It allows me to share the intricacies of our society and my life with new audiences.”

This project was seeded at the School of Games and Creative Technology at UCA and is facilitated by the Games and Innovation Nexus (GAIN), a £2.3m programme involving the University for the Creative Arts, the University of Surrey and the University of Warwick.

Games and Creative Technology (UCA) is place for emerging and experimental practice and research and is unique in its transdisciplinary practice research environment, spanning both creative and technological innovation. Knowledge Exchange at GCT brings together industry, technologists, creative practitioners and researchers across discipline areas to develop truly innovative work, sharing new knowledge and expertise and synthesising research with pioneering advances in digital computing, information technologies and creative practice.

Boasting excellent facilities across Games, XR and AI, GCT are always looking to develop new collaborative partnerships with individuals and organisations and are particularly keen to work on projects that, through games and creative technologies, use creativity to drive change, overcome challenges and improve the lives of others.

Contact

Sophy Smith

Lead organisation

University for the Creative Arts/StarPAL.AI

Team

Sophy Smith (Director, Games and Creative Technology, UCA)

Andy Bossom (Industry Lead (Games), UCA)

Lauren Newport-Quinn (Innovation Manager, UCA)

Tanguay Dewavrin, COO StarPAL.AI

Jérôme Dewavrin, CEO StarPAL/AI

Dan Anthony, CTO StarPAL/AI

Partners

StarPAL.AI

StarPAL.AI