> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The f(x) = e^x | Synthetic humans and the great unknowns of 2023 - URL: https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/fx-ex-synthetic-humans-great-unknowns-2023/ - Published: 2023-01-04T05:54:33.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-04T05:40:11.000Z - Description: This week's f(x)=e^x newsletter discusses synthetic humans and what these digital beings mean for humanity. It also covers CES 2023, Australia creating AI laws, the failure of the metaverse and the great unknowns of 2023. - Author: Dr Mark van Rijmenam, CSP - Tags: #newsletter, Synthetic Minds Newsletter Dr Mark van Rijmenam # The f(x) = e^x | January 4, 2023 - Vol. 198 *Good Day! This is my weekly newsletter, with a dose of insights into the future. The topic of this newsletter is the exponential times we live in, hence the title of f(x) = e^x, which is the (natural) exponential function.* *You can visit* [**The Digital Speaker**](https://thedigitalspeaker.com/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) *to book me as a keynote speaker for your next event or to hire me as a future tech coach for your CEO. Don't forget to tune in to my *[Step into the Metaverse podcast](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/podcasts-step-into-the-metaverse/)* or read my *[top ten technology trends for 2023.](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/top-10-technology-trends-2023-year-digital-disruption/)** ## Synthetic Humans: Digital Twins Living and Breathing Online [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/af/cc/afcca743-e1e6-4752-bf81-782fb033f39c/content/images/2023/01/Synthetic-Humans.png)](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/synthetic-humans-digital-twins-living-breathing-online/) ### My latest article: Synthetic humans, also known as artificial humans or androids, are digital beings created using [artificial intelligence](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/ai-speaker/) and technology designed to resemble and behave like humans in every way, including appearance, personality, and intelligence. With synthetic media on the rise, it is only a matter of time before synthetic humans take over the internet. The concept of synthetic humans has been explored in science fiction for many years. It has gained interest in recent years as a booming industry with billions of dollars invested in the research of robots, synthetic humans, and AI. Synthetic humans can be used in different contexts, including video games as artificially intelligent non-playing characters (AI NPCs), as AI companions, particularly for those experiencing loneliness or suffering from dementia, and for branding purposes. As technology continues to advance, the use cases for synthetic humans will likely become more varied and widespread. However, the creation of synthetic humans also raises many ethical questions about the nature of humanity, deepfakes and the limits of technology. The advancements in synthetic humans raise interesting questions about how we view the concept of humanity and, ultimately, the definition of life itself. [**Enjoy this deep dive into the rise of synthetic humans.**](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/synthetic-humans-digital-twins-living-breathing-online/) --- ### Useful Nuggets of Information *My weekly tips from around the web to get you thinking.* ### 1\. CES 2023: Where even the Pandemic can't kill the tech dreams. Despite the pandemic and the NFT chaos in 2022, CES 2023 is still happening, this week, and will showcase interoperable smart home devices, smart glasses, funky electric vehicles, and healthcare innovations. Get ready to be underwhelmed (or maybe pleasantly surprised?). ([**Wired**](https://www.wired.com/story/ces-2023-what-to-expect/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com)) ### 2\. Time for AI to get a makeover. AI has an image problem, with concerns over its use by businesses and government agencies. Instead, AI should be used ethically and responsibly that protects privacy. Now, Australia is creating laws to ensure AI is ethical and trustworthy. ([**Financial Review**](https://www.afr.com/technology/regulating-artificial-intelligence-is-a-matter-of-trust-20230102-p5c9vc?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com)) ### 3\. Tech hype or tech pipe dreams: the great unknown of 2023. It's important to keep an open mind in 2023 about how technology will impact our lives, as it is often difficult to predict. Many predictions about technology have proved wrong, and it usually takes years for new technology to catch on. ([**The Washington Post)**](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/01/03/2023-tech-predictions/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) ### 4\. The metaverse is not yet ready for primetime (or the holidays). Despite the hype surrounding virtual reality, it turns out that only a few people actually own a VR headset, making it difficult for people to participate in the metaverse. Despite BigTech promoting the metaverse as the future of social interaction, connecting with loved ones in the metaverse during the holidays appeared to be challenging. ([**Wired**](https://www.wired.com/story/holiday-party-horizon-worlds-the-metaverse-doesnt-exist/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com)) --- ### Future Visions: A human-machine collaboration on the potential of technology Technology has certainly come a long way, and it is remarkable that in 2022 we can use an off-the-shelf language model to write a readable book. Of course, there are many books for sale online written by AI, but up until now, most were unreadable. As an experiment, I wrote, edited and designed my fifth book with AI. ChatGPT is a powerful tool if used correctly, but it is not the holy grail for creativity and innovation. [**Find out for yourself with the Kindle now available for free on Amazon!**](https://amzn.to/3HKvd75?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/af/cc/afcca743-e1e6-4752-bf81-782fb033f39c/content/images/2022/12/Future-Visions-Full-Cover-website-1.jpg)](https://amzn.to/3HKvd75?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) ## Frequently asked questions ### What are synthetic humans? Synthetic humans, also called artificial humans or androids, are digital beings created using artificial intelligence and technology designed to resemble and behave like humans in appearance, personality, and intelligence. They represent a booming industry with significant investment in robots, synthetic humans, and AI research, and are increasingly likely to become widespread as synthetic media continues to rise across the internet. [Link to this question](#faq-what-are-synthetic-humans) ### How are synthetic humans currently being used? Synthetic humans are used in several contexts, including as artificially intelligent non-playing characters in video games, as AI companions for people experiencing loneliness or dementia, and for branding purposes. As technology advances, these use cases are expected to become more varied and widespread, expanding beyond current applications into new areas of daily life and business. [Link to this question](#faq-how-are-synthetic-humans-currently-being-used) ### What ethical concerns do synthetic humans raise? The creation of synthetic humans raises ethical questions about the nature of humanity, deepfakes, and the limits of technology. These advancements prompt deeper reflection on how humanity is defined and what constitutes life itself, as digital beings increasingly resemble and behave like real humans in appearance and intelligence. [Link to this question](#faq-what-ethical-concerns-do-synthetic-humans-raise) ### Why is the metaverse struggling to gain mainstream adoption? Despite the hype surrounding virtual reality, only a few people actually own a VR headset, which makes it difficult for people to participate in the metaverse. Even though big technology companies promote the metaverse as the future of social interaction, connecting with loved ones in the metaverse during the holidays proved challenging in practice, showing a gap between promotion and real usability. [Link to this question](#faq-why-is-the-metaverse-struggling-to-gain-mainstream-adoption)