Startup Pickle Creates AI Avatars to Attend Web Calls for You
A new startup called Pickle lets users create digital clones of themselves to sit through tedious web conference calls. Users simply submit a five-minute training video to generate an avatar that mimics their appearance.
A startup called Pickle offers a new way to skip agonizing web conference calls by creating a digital clone of the user. After submitting a five-minute training video of themselves, users receive a realistic AI avatar that looks and acts like them in about 24 hours. This technology allows professionals to appear attentive at their desks while actually sipping margaritas in a hammock or staying in bed.
The service integrates directly with popular conferencing platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. Pickle currently offers three subscription tiers ranging from $300 to $1,150 per year, depending on the level of avatar realism and features required. Backed by Los Angeles venture firm Krew Capital, the company is experiencing a surge of early interest from remote workers looking to reclaim their time.
Despite the exciting premise, the technology still faces a few visible kinks in its demo videos that the team continues to work out. Additionally, the software only operates on macOS at this moment, though developers promise that a Windows version arrives next month. Because of overwhelming demand, the company warns that new clone generation faces delays on its website right now.