Verizon has leveraged 5G, Multi-access Edge Computing and MorphCast Emotion AI technologies to create an empathetic and transformative experience through a series of interactive short films. This project aims to bridge the gap between technology and human emotions, illustrating how these innovations can be used for social good.
Overview
The Inclusive Stories project comprises three films that adapt in real-time to viewers’ emotions, thanks to advanced Facial Emotion AI and emotion recognition technology. Each film has a branching narrative with multiple possible endings, influenced by the viewer’s reactions.
Verizon Empathetic Experience
To participate, viewers watch the films while their emotional responses are monitored by AI. This data shapes the narrative, making each viewing experience unique. The stories include:
Tom’s Story: Follows a young trans man on his first day of work.
Gary’s Story: Centers on an outgoing manager facing personal struggles.
Susie’s Story: Focuses on an empathetic colleague with a complex home life.
These films are dedicated to various social causes, enhancing their emotional and societal impact.
Process
Verizon utilized cutting-edge technologies, including 5G and MEC, to deliver seamless, real-time interactions. The use of MorphCast Emotion AI Interactive Media Platform ensures that each story resonates personally with the viewer, fostering a deeper connection and understanding.
In this backstage, Geoffrey Goodwin (Senior Director @ Yahoo Creative Studios) says that filming this fantastic interactive and branching narrative drama, they found “a new way to essentially deliver content to audiences where they can, in fact, through their emotions, choose different branching narratives”.
Impact
The campaign set a new benchmark for interactive storytelling, demonstrating the potential of technology to create meaningful and empathetic experiences. It highlights Verizon’s commitment to using innovation for societal benefit, bridging the gap between people and technology.
Key Achievements
Interactive Storytelling: Real-time emotion-driven narratives.
Multiple Endings: Eight possible outcomes for each story, ensuring a personalized experience.
Social Impact: Films dedicated to various charities, raising awareness and support for important causes.
By integrating advanced Facial Emotion AI with 5G and MEC, Verizon’s “Inclusive Stories” project showcases the transformative power of technology in creating empathetic and impactful narratives.
