Opinion
The time has come for AI to start communicating like a human
Artificial intelligence has spent the past decade learning to read, write, and reason. In 2026, it will learn to connect.
Artificial intelligence has spent the past decade learning to read, write, and reason. In 2026, it will learn to connect.
For years, AI was built around data and efficiency. It could recognize objects, process information, and even compose essays, but it couldn’t look you in the eye. That’s now changing. A new generation of expressive, humanlike avatars is transforming how people interact with organizations, institutions, and each other. They’re not science fiction anymore; they’re becoming the interface of everyday life.
I know this is a sensitive topic and I can’t stress this enough. This isn’t about replacing people. It’s about restoring presence to the digital world; the warmth, tone, and empathy that make communication feel human. As these avatars mature, five transformations are already beginning to define how society will experience them.
1. Avatars Become the Face of Business
We’re entering a world where the first “person” you meet at a company may not be human, but the experience could feel more personal than ever. In 2026, avatars will become the digital front door for brands, universities, and public institutions. Fuelled by conversational models that understand emotion and context, they can respond in natural language while maintaining brand voice and cultural sensitivity. Done well, this doesn’t depersonalize business, it scales empathy.
2. Provenance, Deepfakes, and Consent Become Non-Negotiable
The deepfake era has rewritten the definition of trust. As synthetic media becomes ubiquitous, proof of origin and permission will be the new hallmarks of credibility. New standards like C2PA are emerging to certify authenticity, and unverified content will increasingly be treated as suspect by default. In this climate, transparency is no longer optional, it’s the foundation of legitimacy. The organizations that thrive will be those that make synthetic media feel safe, not sensational.
3. Regulated Industries Take the Lead
Surprisingly, the most tightly regulated sectors: finance, healthcare, education, are now leading the charge in adopting avatars. Why? Because they demand accountability that’s delivered through data. Every interaction can be logged, audited, and measured, offering data-driven insight into satisfaction, retention, and performance. When compliance and communication merge, innovation becomes not just possible but provable.
4. AI for Good and Accessibility
Beyond commerce, avatars have an extraordinary power to make technology more inclusive. A humanlike AI agent can translate instantly, sign in multiple languages, or convey emotional nuance for those who struggle with speech or literacy. Around the world, educators and nonprofits are deploying avatars to teach underserved communities, bridge disability gaps, and provide companionship. It’s one of the rare cases where progress in commercial technology directly expands access and empathy.
5. Broadcast Readiness, Global Events, and Elections
Finally, avatars are stepping into public life. With ultra-low latency and photorealistic expressiveness, they’ll appear on live broadcasts, at major global events, and even in civic spaces. From multilingual Olympic hosts to interactive election explainers, 2026 will test how societies balance creativity and accountability. The line between engagement and manipulation will be thin and ethical design will determine which side we land on.
The Human Standard
The rise of avatars forces a simple but profound question: what does it mean to connect? The challenge for technologists isn’t to mimic humanity, but to design systems that reflect its best traits: empathy, clarity, and respect.
Avatars represent the next natural step in digital interaction. Built well, they’ll help us communicate with more clarity, more emotion, and more reach than ever before.
This year marks the moment when AI stops feeling like a tool in the background and starts becoming a meaningful partner in how the world speaks, learns, and collaborates.
Gil Perry is the CEO and Co-Founder of D-ID.
