What is Synthetic Media?
Any media (image, audio, video) generated or substantially modified by AI rather than captured from the real world. Encompasses AI avatars, AI voice, generated music, and AI-translated video. The legitimate, consent-based end of the spectrum is sometimes called "synthetic content."
Related Terms
AI Avatar / AI Presenter
A digital character animated by artificial intelligence. Unlike deepfakes (which impersonate real people), AI avatars are created from photos with the owner's consent for legitimate use cases like education, marketing, and accessibility.
Deepfake vs AI Avatar
Deepfakes impersonate real people without consent, often for deception. AI avatars are created from photos with owner permission for legitimate purposes (education, marketing, accessibility). Puppetry is designed for ethical AI avatar creation — users animate their own photos or stock characters.
Digital Human
A photorealistic, AI-driven digital character designed to interact with people in video, web, or real-time settings. Sometimes used interchangeably with "AI avatar," though digital human usually implies higher fidelity and full-body presence.
Voice Cloning
Creating a synthetic replica of a specific person's voice using AI. Users record a short sample (30 seconds to 5 minutes), and the AI learns to reproduce their speech patterns, tone, and accent. Used for personalized video content.