Introduction:
Teleprompters have long been a staple in the world of video production, allowing hosts and presenters to maintain eye contact with viewers while effortlessly delivering scripted content. However, recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have given rise to a new era of eye-contact technology that may render traditional teleprompters obsolete. In this blog post, we will explore the potential of AI eye contact, its current limitations, and its future prospects.
The Current State of AI Eye Contact:
The speaker in the video introduces us to a software called Speakflow, which utilizes AI to realign a presenter’s gaze, making it appear as if they are looking directly into the camera lens. This technology is a promising alternative to bulky and expensive teleprompter hardware. By simply reading a script displayed on a computer screen positioned slightly below the camera, presenters can achieve a natural eye contact effect.
However, the speaker points out a couple of drawbacks to this solution. Firstly, the current software does not offer real-time eye contact correction for live streams or video calls. The presenter still needs teleprompter hardware to maintain eye contact in these scenarios. Nevertheless, it is predicted that by 2024, real-time AI eye contact correction will become more widespread, making teleprompters even less necessary.
Secondly, although AI eye contact does create a seamless connection between the presenter and the viewer, some aspects of the gaze can appear unnatural. Presenters never break eye contact, which differs from the occasional glances and breaks that occur when using physical teleprompters. The speaker predicts that future software updates will address this concern, allowing presenters to purposely glance off-camera to create a more comfortable viewing experience.
The Pros and Cons of AI Eye Contact:
AI eye contact offers several advantages over traditional teleprompters. It simplifies the process for presenters, eliminating the need to memorize scripts or invest in teleprompter hardware. With AI eye contact, presenters can focus on delivering their content naturally, making it easier and more engaging for viewers.
Moreover, AI eye contact is particularly useful for recording video calls. It allows presenters to maintain eye contact with the other participants, enhancing the natural flow of the conversation. Non-verbal cues like nods and smiles can also be easily captured, further boosting the presenter’s confidence on camera.
However, there are drawbacks for video editors. The AI eye contact correction process takes time, and editors may need to fine-tune the footage, eliminating any glitches that the AI may introduce. Despite this, the overall convenience and professional look of AI eye contact make it a promising technology for content creators.
How to Implement AI Eye Contact:
In the video, the speaker demonstrates the use of an online tool called Veed.io for AI eye contact correction. Although it requires a Pro or above subscription, the tool streamlines the process by correcting the presenter’s eye contact in just a few minutes. The speaker also mentions other features, such as green screen removal and audio cleanup, enhancing the overall video editing experience.
For users of Final Cut Pro, another solution called Descript is recommended. Descript offers AI eye contact correction along with powerful editing capabilities, allowing users to modify their videos directly from the script.
Conclusion:
While teleprompters have been a reliable tool for maintaining eye contact during presentations, the advent of AI eye contact technology opens up new possibilities for content creators. Although AI eye contact is not yet available in real time for live streams or video calls, it offers a hassle-free alternative for recorded videos. With continued advancements in AI, we can expect improved software that will make the eye contact experience even more authentic and comfortable for viewers. As we approach an era where teleprompters may no longer be necessary, AI eye contact presents an exciting future for video content creation.
This Blog post was generated by AI
BTW, I used CastMagic.io to create this entire blog post. I started by uploading my YouTube video, then having CastMagic create closed captions (which I uploaded to YouTube.) Then I asked CastMagic to write a 500 word blog post and pasted that here. Finally, I added the YouTube video to this page.
I’ve started to use AI to help with blog posts, but I do a lot of editing of the AI suggestion. However, for this post, I decided to leave it exactly as the AI created so that you could see what it looks like.