Boddington, Ghislaine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0448-579X (2024) Digital Human Twins: Our Future Data Selves (Plenary Keynote). In: Digital Body Festival, 15th - 17th November, 2024, Hackney Wick, London.

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Abstract

This keynote explored the evolving concept of Digital Human Twins as the next frontier in self-representation, with a particular focus on the convergence of data, technology, and the human body. Digital Human Twins are set to become our future data-driven companions, evolving alongside us through AI and real-time biometric data. Using Boddington's three decades of research into the virtual physical body, presence and intimacy and my present practice-led research into AI Hybrid BioTwins she delved into these developments, investigating the ethical, philosophical, and societal implications, including the issues around ownership and privacy of personal biometric data. The virtual representation of self has a history rooted in body tech experimenters since the late 1980s using performative telepresence, motion capture, animation and, in the 21st century, in gaming, e-sports and virtual worlds. It has been further extended by more recent developments in augmented reality, sense tech, immersion experiences and holography. Performing arts historical examples to be shared will include Rebeca Allen with Twyla Tharp, Yacov Sharir, Company in Space and Merce Cunningham amongst others. Today the ability of digital human twins to support our personal and professional lives across health, education, professional, entertainment and social interactions illustrates a profound shift in how we perceive our identities and our presence in the world. As this research suggests, digital human twins will not only augment physical presence, but will grow and learn with us across life, a companion that could also represent us after death.

Item Type:	Conference or Conference Paper (Keynote)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Digital Human Twins, digital embodiment, hybrid presence, body-led technology, AI embodiment, biometric data, virtual-physical self, hyper-connectivity, digital identity, human-tech co-evolution
Subjects:	N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR N Fine Arts > NC Drawing Design Illustration Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Design and Creative Industries
Related URLs:	http://digital-body.com/digital-human-tw... Author
Last Modified:	19 May 2026 13:22
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/53479

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