The value creation potential of digital humans

TL;DR

Digital humans, AI-powered digital replicas capable of emotional interaction, hold significant potential for value creation in workplaces by addressing labor shortages and improving safety, but face technical, social, and ethical limitations.

Contribution

This paper reviews existing literature to analyze the value creation potential and limitations of digital humans, highlighting key factors influencing their adoption and impact.

Findings

Digital humans can alleviate labor shortages and improve safety.

Technical, social, and ethical limitations hinder value realization.

Perceived usefulness and ease of development influence organizational adoption.

Abstract

'Digital humans' are digital reproductions of humans powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and capable of communicating and forming emotional bonds. The value creation potential of digital humans is overlooked due to the limitations of digital human technologies. This article explores the value creation potential and the value realisation limitations of digital humans. The analysis is based on a review of 62 articles retrieved from the Web of Science database. The analysis suggests that digital humans have the potential to alleviate labour and skill shortages, reduce the natural human element in high-risk tasks, avoid design errors, improve the ergonomics of products and workplaces, and provide guidance and emotional support, all of which will benefit natural humans in the workplace. However, technical limits, evolving understanding of digital humans, the social significance and acceptance of digital humans, ethical considerations, and the adjustment of legal tradition limit the value realisation. This review suggests that digital humans' perceived usefulness and ease of development determine organisations' willingness to utilise this technology. Overcoming the limitations, which still involve engineering challenges and a change in how they are perceived, will positively affect realising the value potential of digital humans in organisations.