How to quickly build digital humans using a dedicated SDK

Creating digital humans is no longer reserved for teams with massive budgets or months to spare.

With a dedicated digital human SDK, you can deliver immersive, interactive experiences in a fraction of the time—no advanced AI expertise required.

Introduction to digital human SDKs

Digital humans are changing the way brands connect with people. Thanks to digital human SDKs, you don’t need a giant R&D team or years of AI experience to create lifelike avatars. With the right toolkit, anyone can quickly develop, train, and launch digital humans for the web, mobile devices, AR/VR, and more.

What are digital humans?

Digital humans are AI-powered avatars designed to look and sound like real people. You’ll find them everywhere—from customer support chatbots and onboarding assistants to virtual event hosts and product demonstrators. With a digital human SDK, creating a realistic replica of a person is as simple as uploading a short training video. That opens up new, engaging ways to reach your audience, wherever they are.

Why digital human experiences are in demand

The demand for digital humans is skyrocketing, and it’s easy to see why. Brands are searching for ways to deliver personalized, always-available interactions without compromising the human touch. Whether it’s instant customer support, virtual event hosting, or interactive training, digital humans help organizations communicate at scale.

As AR, VR, and the metaverse become part of everyday life, the appetite for these experiences will only grow.

How a digital human SDK accelerates creation

A digital human SDK takes the complexity out of building and deploying avatars. Instead of building everything from scratch, you get intuitive tools and APIs that make training, customizing, and launching your digital humans fast and approachable. Features like low-code integration, flexible APIs, and support for multiple platforms let you focus on the user experience—not the technical heavy lifting.

Key features of a digital human SDK

Selecting the right digital human SDK is key to your project’s success. Here’s what to watch for:

Rapid deployment and low-code integration

The Tavus SDK makes it possible to create and launch a personal replica using as little as two minutes of training footage. You can either record your video directly in the developer portal or upload it through the API. Training usually takes four to five hours, and the entire process is designed to be user-friendly—no advanced AI skills required.

Key advantages:

• Minimal coding needed for integration
• An easy-to-use developer portal for recording or uploading video
• Real-time status updates through API callbacks

Flexible integration with enterprise systems

To really make the most of digital humans, you need them to work seamlessly with your existing tools. A strong SDK offers APIs that connect your avatars with CRMs, knowledge bases, analytics, and more. With Tavus, you can embed digital humans wherever you need them and trigger real-time interactions, or connect to third-party systems for smart, tailored conversations.

What to expect:

• API-first architecture for easy integrations
• Real-time data connections and webhook support
• The flexibility to bring your own large language models (LLMs) or text-to-speech (TTS) engines

Cross-platform and multi-channel support

Your audience is everywhere, and your digital human should be too. Tavus supports deployment across web, mobile, AR/VR, kiosks, and other platforms, ensuring a consistent, high-quality experience on any device.

Highlights include:

• High-quality video output up to 4K
• Multi-language support for global reach
• Custom personas and voice models to match your brand

Step-by-step: Building digital humans with a digital human SDK

Building digital humans might sound complex, but with a digital human SDK like Tavus, the process is straightforward and fast. Let’s break down the steps:

Initial setup and SDK installation

Getting started is simple:

• Grab your API key from the Tavus developer portal.
• Head to the Replicas tab to begin creating your avatar.
• Choose to record training footage right in the app, or upload a pre-recorded video (it needs to be MP4, up to 4K resolution, max 750 MB, and as unedited and authentic as possible).

Customizing your digital human

Once your video is ready, it’s time to create your replica:

• The system uses about two minutes of video—one minute of you speaking, and one minute of you listening with natural expressions.
• For the best results, record in a quiet, well-lit room. Make sure your face is clearly visible and avoid hats, sunglasses, or anything that might block your features. Stick to neutral clothing and keep gestures to a minimum.
• You’ll need to read a consent statement (which can be customized for enterprise plans) to authorize the creation of your digital human.
• Train your replica in the main language you plan to use, but you can generate videos in other supported languages later.
• Use the SDK to personalize your avatar—choose from stock personas or custom personas, configure your choice of LLMs (such as GPT-4o or Llama), and set up custom TTS or voice options as needed.

Integrating and deploying across channels

Once your digital human is ready, you can:

• Embed them on web, mobile, or XR platforms using simple SDK calls.
• Leverage APIs to connect your avatar with CRMs, knowledge bases, and more, so conversations can be dynamic and personalized.
• Use real-time events and webhook callbacks to keep track of deployments and gather valuable insights.

Real-world use cases and success stories

Digital human SDKs aren’t just for tech demos—they’re already transforming businesses across a wide range of industries. Here’s how organizations are using Tavus to connect with their audiences:

Retail, customer service, and online commerce

Brands like Dell, L’Oréal, and Mercedes-Benz rely on digital humans as product specialists, onboarding guides, and support agents. These avatars deliver fast, personalized assistance around the clock, making it easier for customers to get answers whenever they need them.

Learning, development, and events

Digital humans are increasingly used for interactive training, onboarding, and even live event hosting. Dell’s digital human “Clara,” for example, has become a conference favorite, thanks to her ability to engage and inform attendees in real time.

Industry-specific applications

Whether it’s banking, healthcare, government, or travel, digital human SDKs are helping organizations expand their reach. From scaling patient education to powering virtual branch services and travel assistance, these avatars are proving their value across every sector.

How to choose the right digital human SDK

With so many digital human SDKs out there, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to make the smart choice for your team:

Key evaluation criteria

Focus on these essentials:

• How easy is the SDK to use, and is the documentation clear?
• Can it scale to support large audiences and multiple deployments?
• Does it integrate with your existing tech stack?
• Are security and compliance prioritized?

Support, training, and ongoing improvement

The right vendor will provide more than just code. Look for a partner who offers detailed, up-to-date documentation, responsive support, and a clear roadmap for improvements. Tavus, for example, offers thorough API references, an active community hub, and regular updates so you’re always ahead of the curve.

Future-proofing: Scalability and innovation

Choose an SDK that evolves as technology does. That means support for AR/VR, customizable AI engines, and the flexibility to bring your own LLMs or TTS solutions. This ensures you’ll stay innovative as user expectations—and opportunities—shift.

Accelerate your digital human journey

Digital human SDKs put lifelike, interactive experiences within reach for every team, regardless of size or technical expertise.

The advantages of rapid digital human deployment

When you have the right SDK, you can move fast, personalize at scale, and meet your users wherever they are—across any channel, in any language.

Next steps: Get started with a digital human SDK

If you’re ready to build your own digital human, start by exploring vendor documentation, booking a demo, or digging into SDK resources. Tavus makes it easy for teams of any size to create digital humans that deliver real impact.

Embracing the future of customer engagement

Digital humans are shaping the future of user experience. By adopting a digital human SDK, you’re not just keeping up—you’re leading the way in a new era of immersive, intelligent engagement.

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