Exclusive: Antix CEO On Creating Hyper-Realistic Digital AI Avatars (UPDATED)

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to remove a previously referenced paragraph.

Throughout a rocky 2025 market, AI has been a leading narrative in the Web3 world. Now, the U.S. government is trying to embrace the trend.

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is giving shape to President Donald Trump's executive order regarding AI leadership in the US by issuing two directives that define deadlines and specific policies for AI.

On January 23rd, Trump stated in an executive order that the U.S. should "sustain and enhance America's global AI dominance." Trump repealed President Joe Biden’s October 2023 executive order on AI safety. Trump argued that Biden’s regulatory framework hampered innovation by requiring companies building AI models to coordinate with U.S. government oversight, especially regarding security, discrimination, privacy and labor rights. 

Although it's hard to see where the liquidity is, given Trump’s trade tariffs and subsequent decline in the digital asset market, AI is one of the dominant narratives of 2025.

"AI and Web3 are building each other up. AI becomes more reliable and fair, while Web3 becomes more intelligent and adaptive. That's why this combo is dominating the 2025 narrative," said  Roman Cyganov, founder & CEO of Antix, an AI company that promises  "hyper-realistic digital twins for all."

According to a Stanford report, U.S. private and public sectors invested $109.1 billion last year in AI, which is nearly 12 times China’s $9.3 billion. In 2024, 78% of organizations were interested in implementing AI, but Meta, Anthropic, xAI have become credible rivals for OpenAI and Google, which were clearly in the lead in 2022. 

Antix focuses on adding a "human element" to its AI advancements by providing realistic avatars for its AI agents.

"Antix is centered around hyper-realistic digital humans because we believe the future of online interaction depends upon emotionally intelligent, visual-first communication,” Cyganov told Benzinga. “Static interfaces or text-based AI agents don't provoke trust, presence, or personality – 3D digital humans or avatars do. They're the bridge between the real and virtual world."

When asked how they would handle the dreaded uncanny valley, he said Antix focused on stylized realism, not photo-perfect replication.

"We find that sweet spot where characters feel human enough to engage emotionally but not so close that they trip the uncanny valley wire. Our digital humans aren't just animated characters; they're context-aware, lifelike interfaces that can host, guide, entertain, and engage users with persistent identities across platforms. That's the next frontier of presence in digital interaction."

Antix says its realistic digital avatars for AI agents will not only serve as doppelgangers for public figures but can take the place of show hosts and key opinion leaders (KOLs) in and out of the Web3 space.

"Virtual KOLs can be always-on, fully brand-aligned, endlessly creative, and – crucially – data-driven. They don't need sleep, don't get canceled, and can scale content production massively. The key is believability, audience resonance, and performance," said the Antix CEO.

Cyganov acknowleged that blurring the line between realistic, AI-driven digital avatars and real humans is undesirable for users and projects. Antix has taken measures to draw a clear line between what's IRL and what's AI.

"We advocate for transparent AI design. Every Antix digital human should disclose their AI nature either explicitly or through subtle cues,” Cyganov explained. “The line between AI and human interaction is becoming more fluid. The goal isn't to trick people — it's to create emotionally resonant interactions. Regulation and design standards will be key in setting healthy boundaries as these agents become more widespread."

Cyganov suggested that Antix digital AI avatars are perfect for entertainment and lifestyle brands that can benefit from an always-on, tireless digital performer.

"Imagine a music label launching a digital twin of an artist that engages fans 24/7, hosts AMAs, co-creates music with fans, and rewards community interaction via tokens. It's a blend of AI, IP extension, and community marketing. Other killer use cases include virtual event hosts, brand avatars for e-commerce, and interactive characters in digital fashion or Web3-native games."

In its current state, the capabilities of AI seem to be limited chiefly by the imagination of users and projects, with its true potential waiting to be revealed in new, novel use cases.

"Antix isn't just about building digital avatars – it's about shaping how humans interact with machines, brands, and each other in the next internet era. We combine the emotional depth of human storytelling, the scalability of AI, and the ethos of Web3. It's a new category: ‘Emotionally Intelligent, Tokenized Presence.’ And we're just getting started," Cyganov said.

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