NTT DOCOMO has announced the development of a generative artificial intelligence based solely on text input to create non-player characters (NPCs) or characters in the metaverse that aren’t controlled by the user. According to DOCOMO, the technology, which is said to be the first of its kind in the world, can create NPCs with unique appearances, behaviours and roles in just 20 minutes. This approach eliminates the need for complex programming or advanced computer skills.

• NTT DOCOMO has developed a generative artificial intelligence that uses text data to create NPCs in the metaverse.
• The technology, believed to be the first of its kind, creates NPCs with unique appearance, behaviour and responsibilities in just 20 minutes.
• DOCOMO’s unique innovations include the behavioural logic of artificial intelligence and the seamless synchronisation of all three forms of artificial intelligence.
• The behavioural logic generated by the artificial intelligence creates a unique behaviour tree that describes the behaviour of the NPCs in the metaverse.
• The technology is part of DOCOMO’s Lifestyle Co-Creation Lab, which aims to create a platform for the joint development of innovations for various sectors.
• DOCOMO plans to integrate the technology into DOOR, a metaverse operated by NTT QONOQ, INC. by March 2025.

The main areas of generative artificial intelligence include appearance, animation and behavioural logic. Generative artificial intelligence uses only text to automatically generate a unique behaviour tree that describes NPCs in the metaverse. Unlike previous practises where specifications were developed by skilled programmers using code, the process is now more efficient.

In addition, a behaviour tree, character skeleton data and a 3D character model can be automatically combined by three types of generative artificial intelligence, enabling automatic character creation based on text alone.

The technology is being developed as part of DOCOMO’s Lifestyle Co-Creation Lab, which works with partners to evaluate innovations to improve quality of life. The aim is to create a platform for the joint development of innovations that can be used across industries. DOCOMO plans to integrate this technology with its large language model (LLM) infrastructure and personal data and build on the idea of metacommunication to create a new community identity.

In the coming years, DOCOMO plans to further expand this technology and deploy it in DOOR, the metaverse operated by NTT QONOQ, INC. by the end of the fiscal year in March 2025. The aim is to provide customers with a more convenient and diverse life. The associated technologies and services will support revitalisation processes and regional development, making an important contribution to improving the quality of life of communities.