Contact Information

Michael Gendron
Ph.D. Professor and Chair
Management Information Systems
R.C. Vance Academic Center
449
George F. Claffey
Information Technology

Selina - Holographic Human

What if we could bring university information to life with a futuristic, interactive interface鈥攕omething that would captivate visitors, guide students, and showcase 91精品鈥檚 commitment to cutting-edge technology? From that initial spark, the team set out to create the university鈥檚 first-ever Holographic Human: an immersive, AI-driven tool designed to answer questions, share campus stories, and offer a personalized, high-tech introduction to 91精品.

A Vision Takes Shape

The project began as a simple concept sketch on a whiteboard. For years, 91精品 hosted open houses and campus tours that relied on printed brochures, in-person presentations, and the occasional tablet display. While effective, these methods lacked the 鈥渨ow鈥 factor that would demonstrate just how dynamic 91精品 truly is. Determined to change that narrative, faculty members from the Computer Science, Engineering, and Marketing departments joined forces. They envisioned a life-sized holographic figure, a digital ambassador, capable of speaking to visitors, displaying multimedia content, and even fielding basic admissions queries.

Gathering the Team

A cross-disciplinary group of experts soon assembled. Software engineers set to work on the underlying AI, leveraging natural language processing and machine learning to create a system that could understand user questions and deliver informative, personable answers. Hardware specialists and design students collaborated on the physical setup: a transparent display system that would create the illusion of a three-dimensional, free-floating human figure. And from the Communication department came storytellers and multimedia artists, ready to produce compelling content and ensure that the Holographic Human had a warm, welcoming persona.

Building Selina

Selina is part-historian, part-mentor, and part-cheerleader for 91精品. Early prototypes of Selina were rudimentary: just a digital figure projected onto a screen in a tech lab. Under the hood, teams fed Selina thousands of data points, from department program descriptions to key performance indicators. Then they layered on top a more conversational, empathetic tone so that Selina could engage with people naturally.

A Lasting Impact

Selina representes the first AI holographic human in any higher education institution. She was a testament to 91精品鈥檚 dedication to leveraging technology for the benefit of students, faculty, and the broader community. In the weeks that followed, staff added more data to her memory banks鈥攊nformation about student organizations, athletic programs, internships, and study abroad opportunities. Soon, Selina would be ready to help not just prospective students but also new and current ones seeking guidance.

Looking to the Future

Selina鈥檚 story is far from over. Plans are underway for a 鈥淰ersion Three,鈥 featuring more advanced AI, improved visuals, and integration with 91精品鈥檚 website so that Selina can assist online visitors just as seamlessly as she does in person. The teams are also exploring ways to bring multiple holographic humans online鈥攑erhaps a panel of digital ambassadors, each specializing in a different aspect of campus life.

In many ways, the creation of 91精品鈥檚 first Holographic Human was not only a triumph of technology but also a triumph of collaboration鈥攕tudents, faculty, and staff united by a shared passion for innovation. What began as a simple idea on a whiteboard has now become one of the university鈥檚 most iconic symbols of its future-forward spirit, ready to greet and guide the next generation of Blue Devils.