An AI-powered version of Albert Einstein has joined UneeQ's growing lineup of 'digital humans'

• UneeQ's virtual version of Albert Einstein is among its latest batch of 'digital humans.'
• A digital COVID-19 health advisor and doppelgänger of a famed banker are also available.
• Virtual companions could solve feelings of isolation and loneliness, the company says.

The latest virtual companions created by UneeQ, a New Zealand and Austin-based company specializing in "digital humans," include an Albert Einstein chatbot.

The launch was timed to mark the 100th anniversary of his Nobel Prize in Physics. You can talk to Einstein via UneeQ's website and he will answer back in his own special way.

According to its website, UneeQ's mission is to revolutionize customer experiences with AI-powered ambassadors.

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The German mastermind is not the only personality users can engage with on the firm's website. UneeQ's range companions also include a COVID-19 health advisor named Sophie and a version of Daniel Kalt, UBS' chief economist.

Danny Tomsett, UneeQ's CEO, said in a statement: "As part of our new Companions series, Digital Einstein, among other digital humans, can communicate with people in a way that comes most naturally - using conversation, human expressions, and emotional responses to best provide daily interactions that we hope make a difference in people's lives."

Here's how some of its companions stack up.

Digital Einstein

The AI experience was created in conjunction with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Greenlight, who provided Einstein's likeness including, his voice, image, and mannerisms, the company stated in a press release.

You can talk to Einstein about a variety of topics through his daily quiz, or chat about his life's work and research. Insider asked him a bunch of questions, including whether the Earth was flat. "Of course the Earth is not flat. Don't be ridiculous," he answered.

We were also curious to know his views on COVID-19 vaccines but his response was evasive: "Let's hope sooner rather than later we will have some form of resolution and normal life. Please be safe, stay healthy, and give your loved ones a hug as much as possible," he said.

He, naturally, spoke with authority on the theory of relativity but was not able to answer more ponderous questions on how he thinks history has judged him. He simply replied: "Sorry, I didn't understand what you said."

Sophie

Launched in April 2020, Sophie is very much a product of our times. The digital companion was created to converse with users about the most common questions surrounding COVID-19.

The company said it used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organisation to launch Sophie as a public health advisor.

She is able to update users on the latest news and guidance around the pandemic, while also providing real-time advice on ways to stay safe based on credible sources of information.

Users of many dialects can converse with Sophie, since she is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Japanese, and more.

In terms of her personality, Sophie was designed to be empathetic, friendly, and non-judgemental.

Daniel Kalt

Uneeq's website shows a range of companions it has created for large companies. Among these is the digital doppelganger of UBS's chief economist, Daniel Kalt.

Kalt's chatbot was developed for the bank's Swiss arm to help people find the crucial banking and finance information they need.

According to the company, Kalt is able to draw on a deep trove of UBS's financial forecast data and present insights to high-wealth clients "face to face." Like Sophie, he is available at any time of day to have a personalized conversation with users.

Helpful heroes or fairweather friends?

There is clearly potential for this type of technology but it's unclear at this stage whether "digital humans" can fully live up to expectations.

The world is facing an undeniable mental-health crisis, including a significant rise in anxiety and depressive conditions.

On the one hand, AI-powered pals are unlikely to be any kind of substitute for the appropriate treatment of serious mental-health conditions. But on the other hand, they could at least provide a bit of cheer and lightness for those facing prolonged isolation during the daily gloom of an ongoing pandemic.