Nvidia recently released a beta version of Eye Contact. This is a new AI-powered software video feature that automatically maintains user eye contact while on camera by estimating and aligning gaze. Software included with version 1.4 of the Nvidia Broadcast app draws mixed reactions. Some users praised its potential uses, while others criticized it as unnatural and creepy. Here are the details…

Nvidia Eye Contact Released with Nvidia Broadcast 1.4 Update

The technology works by replacing the user’s eyes in the video stream with software-controlled simulated eyeballs that always look directly at the camera. Even when the user looks away in real life, always seems to be looking at the lens. The prosthetic eye tries to replicate the user’s natural eye color, even blinking in sync Follow the natural blink of the user. You can see the results in the video below. However, this constant eye contact can feel weird and uncomfortable for some people.

Former TV news anchor Scott Baker weighed in on the technology, saying the role of eye contact in human communication has been well researched. Eye contact with someone for more than 7-10 seconds is intuitively considered creepy or uncomfortable. This isn’t the first time a company has tried using simulated eyeballs to maintain eye contact during video calls or streaming.

In 2019, Apple introduced its own eye contact feature in FaceTime, which also received negative reviews when it launched. While eye contact can be beneficial in certain situations, such as virtual job interviews or livestreaming, it’s important to consider the potential downsides of uninterrupted eye contact and use the technique with caution.

Users can try Eye Contact for themselves by downloading Nvidia It’s free to play from the company’s website, but it should be known that it requires Windows and an Nvidia RTX graphics card.

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