Pictoria Develops 'AI Suntory Nomu,' an AI-Powered Version of the Official Suntory VTuber

Pictoria, a company specializing in IP creation using AI and other technologies (Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hayato Akewata), announced the development of 'AI Suntory Nomu,' an AI-powered version of the official Suntory virtual YouTuber. In addition to recreating the 'Suntory Nomu' persona, the company developed a collaborative streaming application that allows humans and AI to converse naturally in the same space. A collaborative stream between the original Suntory Nomu and AI Suntory Nomu was held on May 26 at 8:00 PM. The AI version is not intended to replace the original, but rather to expand the possibilities of communication and expression while continuing traditional activities. The development focused on designing an AI character that captures the distance and tone of voice that Suntory Nomu has cherished with her audience. Rather than simply answering questions, the AI is designed based on her personality to respond as she would. Great attention was also paid to the nuances of the synthesized voice, including sentence endings and intonation. The project also introduced a streaming application that enables real-time collaboration between humans and AI, allowing the AI to act as a partner or co-performer rather than just a standalone respondent. Pictoria plans to continue expanding its efforts in AI-driven IP creation, collaborative streaming, and corporate promotions.