To help with the widespread introduction of AI avatars to its ecosystem, Google acquires Alter. This acquisition puts Google in line to compete with other services (like Snapchat and TikTok) that offer AI avatar features to their users. These avatars can be used during video recording as they serve as an animated version of the user with characteristics and features put in place by the user.
Reports have it that Google made this acquisition with over $100 million, and it was also a quiet process as the deal went through its final stage two months ago. For some reason unknown to the media Google kept this from going public until this point as Alter will help Google step up its game. People familiar with the matter say that Google’s acquisition of Alter will help the Mountain View company compete with ByteDance’s TikTok.
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About a month ago, the co-founder of Alter took to his LinkedIn platform to share that he is starting a new role at Google. Originally, the platform started as Facemoji and then went on to adopt the name “Alter” after a few years of existence. Also, the AI platform got some sort of backing from Twitter to aid facilitate its growth as a startup in the AI avatar industry.
As Google acquires Alter, both platforms will work together to integrate AI avatars into video service applications like YouTube and Meet. Google’s involvement in the Metaverse might also step up with the user or avatars from Alter. For now, there is no definite aim of this partnership, but we will be getting a series of clarifications on the matter in the coming months.
