In a groundbreaking move, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO of Swedish fintech firm Klarna, has become the first CEO to send his AI avatar to address investors during a quarterly earnings call. This development follows closely on the heels of Eric Yuan, CEO of Zoom Video Communications Inc., who used his custom avatar for initial comments on the company’s latest earnings call.
Yuan deployed his avatar via Zoom Clips, an asynchronous video creation tool offered by the company. In an interview with Bloomberg Television’s Emily Chang after the call, Yuan expressed pride in being among the first CEOs to use an avatar in an earnings call, stating, "I’m proud that I was one of them."
The Rise of AI Avatars
The use of avatars is becoming increasingly popular as companies look for innovative ways to engage with their audiences and showcase their brand identity. However, trust and security are essential when using AI-generated content. As Yuan noted during his remarks at a conference earlier this month hosted by Bloomberg Technology:
"Trust and security were essential."
To ensure responsible use of avatars, companies like Zoom have built strong safeguards against misuse. According to Yuan:
"We protect user identity very well… We also make sure that our users can’t misuse our technology."
Klarna’s Approach
Siemiatkowski echoed these sentiments when he sent out a statement through Klarna’s chatbot platform earlier this week announcing its quarterly results without him appearing on screen or speaking directly into a microphone.
"We’re not going anywhere," Siemiatkowski said in response to questions from Bloomberg Television about whether he would continue using avatars for future calls. "I think it will be more common than you think," he added. He emphasized that there is no need for humans behind every single interaction with customers or investors, stating:
"It doesn’t have to be me all the time."
However, he acknowledged that there may be situations where human presence is necessary, such as meeting new people or negotiating deals. "Sometimes you need human interaction," he stated.
Looking Ahead
As technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed, companies like Klarna and Zoom are pushing boundaries and exploring new ways to connect with their audiences and showcase their brand identity. While there may be concerns about trust and security, it appears that these companies are committed to ensuring responsible use of AI-generated content and protecting user identity at all costs.
Only time will tell if other CEOs follow suit and adopt similar strategies for engaging with investors and customers alike. One thing is certain, however: the future of communication is looking brighter than ever before!
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