Linden Lab just Alpha launched an AI/NPC character builder for Premium Plus Second Life users in collaboration with Convai, the startup that tested out some NPCs in SL earlier this year (to somewhat dubious if comical results). Now they're rolling out an entire toolkit:
The Character Designer provides a solid foundation for immersive roleplay, offering a range of features that let you shape and refine the personalities and behaviors of your inworld characters. Current capabilities include:
Early-Stage Roleplay Support – Characters respond intelligently through IM, adapting and evolving as you interact.
Custom Personalities and Backstories – Define unique histories, preferences, and communication styles to bring your characters to life.
Integration with Existing SL Systems – Connect through a dedicated alt account, set arrival points, and fine-tune behavior filters for a seamless inworld experience.
As this is an alpha release, several improvements are planned:
Expanded Communication – Beyond IM-based interactions, future updates will include local and group chat support.
Voice Integration – Upcoming versions will allow characters to speak, enhancing immersion.
Contextual Awareness – Characters will gain awareness of nearby objects and avatars, enabling more relevant responses.
Advanced Actions – Over time, characters may perform tasks like exchanging inventory items or changing outfits.
Extended Configuration Options – Additional LLM models and Character Designer APIs will provide greater customization and integration possibilities.
More here. To judge by early community response as here on /SecondLife, there's much more consternation, than enthusiasm.
"We already have a problem with a LOT of residents staying logged in and being AFK a majority of the time," as SL author Hari Sutherland just put it to me. "Sim owners place animesh faux people in sims already. Add in NPCs, and the chances of human-to-human interaction, growing community, and forging friendships plummets… it's just statistics."
This is an Alpha launch available only to a few thousand Premium+ users, so we may see these concerns addressed before the official launch.
In the meantime, if you are planning to play with these tools, be careful with what the AI characters you create say. Reddit host Coffee Pancake points out a pretty perilous warning in the documentation, if you uncheck the subject matter filter:
Important Notice: Responsibility When Disabling the Moderation Filter
By unchecking the "Use subject matter filter" option, please be aware of the following:
Your Responsibility: You are solely responsible for all content generated by your AI character without the moderation filter. This includes any messages or interactions it produces.
Compliance: All outputs from your AI character must comply with all policies, guidelines, terms of service, and terms and conditions of Linden Lab and Second Life. Violations may result in the loss of access to the Character Designer tool or account bans. Please ensure your AI's content adheres to these rules to avoid any violations.
Possible Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Disabling the filter may lead to your AI character generating content that is explicit, offensive, or inappropriate. Such content may not be suitable for all audiences.
I.E., as Pancake puts it: "By agreeing to this, the bot, a literal black box I have no control over, can be made to say stupid shit and I would be entirely responsible for it. This includes ACCOUNT BAN."
I do understand this clause being there, what with all the LLMs/chabots recently going into racist tirades or telling minors to commit suicide. But I'm also sure some people playing with these tools won't know what they might unleash.
But again, this is an Alpha launch to a limited number of SLers, so let's see how it plays out. In the meantime, I'll be talking to Linden Lab next week about this and other topics — stay tuned.
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Wagner James Au / New World Notes 
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