How digital humans can help build independence after brain injury

Digital humans could make everyday life easier for young people with acquired brain injury (ABI), using personalised technology built around their lived experience.��
��

_self

Research for good

h2

Read about our 175-year history of research breakthroughs

Hailey Barber McKirdy was just six years old when she had a stroke. Now in her thirties, she continues to navigate the daily realities of living with an acquired brain injury.

“I find it makes everything that little bit more tricky,” she says, “like comprehending what someone says – or my fatigue levels in dealing with things that can come on post-brain injury, like anxiety and depression.

live with an acquired brain injury, two thirds occurring before the age of 25 – yet their experiences are often misunderstood.��

For people with ABI, everyday interactions can be overwhelming and complex – particularly in a world that delivers information quickly and in large volumes.��

“Young people with brain injuries have so much potential that isn’t being realised,” says Kate Heine, Founder and Managing Director of – Australia’s only youth-specific brain injury organisation. “That’s largely because of the lack of ability of our society to create an accessible world.”��

That’s where digital humans are starting to make a difference.��

Hailey Barber McKirdy, Bey Alivand, Kate Heine and Dr Mike Seymour (from left) are co-designing a digital human to support young people after brain injury. Photo supplied.

50

automatic

Link

URL

embed-d01e8cb4cd

How can AI help human connection?

“We think digital humans can put a face to technology – making it more familiar, acceptable and someone you can actually talk to,” says Dr , Director of ��in the University of Sydney’s Business School. “We’re producing digital assistants that would facilitate young people with ABI to connect more with society and with those around them.”

A digital human is a combination of artificial intelligence and a computer-generated avatar that looks and behaves like a real person. It can interact in conversation and show realistic human facial expressions – all in real time.

PhD student Bey Alivand is working alongside Mike to research and develop these tools.

“You can ask questions in your own time and calmly talk through the answers at a pace that suits you,” Bey explains. And interactions with digital humans can be adapted – the digital human can slow down, simplify language, based on what each user needs.”��

The key to this research is working directly with people who live with ABI to shape the technology around their real, everyday needs.

Hailey is working closely with , as a Lived Experience Consultant, to design the digital human program with the University of Sydney.

“This project is all about co-design with the community,” Hailey says, “being asked what you need, instead of being handed something and told it’s for you, is quite a breath of fresh air.”

“We’re actually talking to people living with acquired brain injury,” Mike says, “and saying, what are the issues that come up in your life? What are your ideas? So, we’re talking to people that are actually doing this day-to-day, that's the sort of stuff that's gold and that informs our research.”��

Dr Mike Seymour is designing digital assistants to help young people with acquired brain injury to navigate daily life. Photo: Fiona Wolf

50

automatic

Link

With AI, you can think of it like steel. You could use it to make tanks – or we can use it to make ambulances. We're focused on making ambulances.

Dr Mike Seymour

Director, Motus Lab

Putting a human face on technology

Although this research is all about technology, Bey sees it as deeply connected to an understanding of human needs.��

“For me, innovation is about making digital solutions that resonate and truly connect with and enhance human experiences,” Bey says. “My goal is to help people to use technology to manage their lives better and stay independent.”��

The potential real-life impact of this work is deeply motivating for the researchers.��

“We want it to be personalised so that it can be powerful, connecting with people at a human level,” Mike says. “What we like to see is ways that we can enable them to just have a more productive, more connected lifestyle. It’s a really rewarding thing to see people actually interact with these digital humans.”��
��

Dr Mike Seymour and PhD student Bey Alivand are exploring digital solutions to connect with and enhance human experiences. Photo: Fiona Wolf

50

automatic

Link

Technology is making life more adaptable, more tailored to us and our needs.

Hailey Barber McKirdy

Lived Experience Consultant, Heads Together

Mike acknowledges, however, that it’s natural for people to have concerns about AI – but says the reality is, it’s here to stay.��

“With AI, you can think of it like steel. You could use it to make tanks – or we can use it to make ambulances,” Mike says. “We're focused on making ambulances. We want to actually help people with real things that can make a difference in their lives, with this really interesting, incredibly powerful new technology.”

’s Kate Heine believes that this technology could redefine the future for young people with ABI.��

“It’s about giving young people with brain injuries the tools they need to be the best version of themselves,” she says.��

For those using it, the impact can be profound.��

“It’s like having a cheerleader – an extra voice in your life,” Hailey says. “It’s amazing to see what’s now possible. Technology is making life more adaptable, more tailored to us and our needs.”
��

Top image:��Human interacting with a digital human protoype. Photo: Fiona Wolf

��帣��Ƭ