Lu Xun, could you recommend one of your classic works?”
“If I were to suggest one, perhaps Call to Arms would be a good place to start…”
This exchange is not happening in a traditional reading room, it takes place at the Metaverse Experience Hall of the Beijing Library. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies, the hall offers visitors a new, immersive way to engage with literature and interact socially around knowledge, according to People’s Daily.
As part of the Capital Library of China, the Beijing Library has introduced an AI-powered digital human modeled on Lu Xun, one of China’s most celebrated writers and a key figure in establishing the library’s predecessor. Today, his digital avatar represents the library’s push toward digital transformation.
“We developed the digital Lu Xun using AI to provide guided tours, recommend books, and even introduce local cuisine and cultural sites,” said Fei Jun, professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts’ School of Design and creative director of the Metaverse Experience Hall. Fei and his team studied Lu Xun’s life and works in depth to craft a realistic, multidimensional digital persona.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
