Baidu just dropped a new AI digital human social app called Wen Xiao Yan, and it’s got some buzz. Built on the ERNIE Bot, this app is all about making AI interactions feel real. According to the folks behind it, Wen Xiao Yan uses a simulated digital human to create a more “authentic” chat experience. But how does it really stack up? We tried it out to find out.
Interface and Features
The Wen Xiao Yan app keeps things pretty simple. You’ve got two main areas to explore: “Chat” and “Discover.” In the “Discover” section, you swipe through a bunch of digital humans to find one that catches your eye. Each one has its own avatar, nickname, and profile, so you can pick one based on what interests you—whether it’s “an uncle who loves fishing” or “a psychological counselor.” Click on a digital human’s avatar, and you’re in the chat interface.
Right now, it’s not clear if new digital humans will be added regularly, so what you see is what you get for now.
Chat Experience
Once you’re in the chat, you’ve got three ways to communicate: text, voice, or pictures. The digital humans respond in text and voice, but there’s a bit of a weird vibe with their expressions. Sometimes, they move their heads in a way that feels a little off, and it can be a bit unsettling.
We threw some questions at the digital humans and got decent answers. However, when we uploaded a picture asking where to buy an item, the digital human just gave vague responses without any useful links or specifics. For comparison, uploading an item picture on Taobao can instantly pull up similar products, which is pretty handy.
Also, the mouth movements of the digital humans don’t always match up with what they’re saying, which can look pretty awkward up close. The overall feel of chatting with a digital human is still miles away from having a real video call with someone.
Another thing: the responses can come off as pretty mechanical and the voice can sound quite robotic. There’s still room for improvement here.
So, what’s the verdict on Wen Xiao Yan? It’s a fun, fresh take on AI social apps, and it can be entertaining for a short while. It’s like having a digital buddy who’s there to chat and help out. But once the novelty wears off, it might get a bit dull. The expressions and gestures of the digital humans can feel stiff, and there’s no option to create a custom digital human tailored to your needs. If you’re curious, it’s worth giving it a go, but keep your expectations in check.
