Virtual Idol MIRAI: An Attempt at the Integration of Web3 and AI

The MIRAI project has garnered widespread attention by combining three popular fields: virtual idols, AI, and Web3. The project raised approximately $12.9 million in a short period, setting a new fundraising record for Web3 projects in Japan. Subsequently, MIRAI was launched on a trading platform, further enhancing its exposure. To expand its influence, the project team also interacted with several popular communities.

MIRAI is jointly created by Aww Inc. and a certain blockchain ecological AI platform, aiming to explore the application of virtual personalities in the Web3 field. The project combines Aww Inc.'s expertise in CG modeling and character design with blockchain infrastructure and AI technology, with the goal of creating virtual characters that possess autonomy and intelligent agency.

Aww Inc. was established in 2019 and is headquartered in Tokyo, focusing on the development of "virtual human" technology. The company has diversified its revenue through global licensing and brand collaborations. Its most famous virtual model, imma, has a large following on social media and has become a digital ambassador for several international brands. imma has also participated in significant cultural events, such as the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics and the opening ceremony of the Osaka Kansai Expo.

In terms of technology, Aww Inc. has established a strategic partnership with a semiconductor giant to integrate AI audio-driven technology and GPU acceleration capabilities, enhancing the real-time emotional interactions and voice lip-syncing of virtual characters.

The MIRAI project aims to create the first "virtual idol + Web3 autonomous co-creation" ecosystem. Aww Inc. leverages its advantages in IP operation and community management in the Web2 world to support the project, while its partners inject the power of "intelligent agents + decentralization" into the project through underlying technology and on-chain infrastructure.

The project roadmap includes the launch of Agent Studio V2, the implementation of Agent Livestreaming, and the launch of a complete DAO governance platform. These features will support creators in generating high-quality content, enable real-time audience interaction, and allow the community to participate in significant decision-making.

MIR envisions a virtual character driven by AI, linked to a blockchain identity system. This model enables the virtual character to make autonomous decisions, interact with the community, and gain incentives through a token economy. However, this innovation also comes with various risks, such as concentrated token distribution, highly centralized governance, and price volatility risks.

At the community operation level, decentralized co-creation may bring issues such as inconsistent content quality and copyright disputes. In addition, the continuous innovation of roles and maintaining their popularity are also challenges faced by the project.

Overall, MIRAI has innovative significance in the integration of AI virtual idols and blockchain, providing new ideas for Web3 content creation and the IP economy. However, its success still depends on the reasonable design of the token economy, the improvement of community governance mechanisms, and the ability to continuously innovate and maintain the value of virtual characters. Only on the basis of the maturity of both technology and mechanisms can MIRAI truly become a model of the "virtual person + decentralized economy".