Kurio Uses AI to Turn a Children’s Book Character into a Virtual Influencer for Helen Energy

Studies show that parents need a helping hand in explaining energy related matters – not least now with energy crisis and the green transition. Helen, one of the biggest energy companies in Finland decided to do something about it. Thus, a week ago, an amazing children’s book was published.

Ellen’s Energy Adventure is a story of a little girl who helps lost energy Posi and Neg find their way back to the electricity network. Along the way they – and you – learn about different energy sources, the climate crisis and about the different ways in which you can save energy at home. The book was written by Leandro Righini and Mick Scheinin. And its magnificent illustrations were created by Eveliina Saarentaus, a student at Aalto University.

Kurio was tasked with bringing the story to social. How? By turning the 2D illustrated character into a 3D avatar – turning Ellen into @EnergiaEllen. Tapping into one of the big trends on social media (also one highlighted by the experts interviewed for Kurio's annual Social Media Marketing Trends report), the company created a virtual influencer. 

Ellen the virtual influencer was brought to life using generative AI. With the help of the award-winning, boundaries-pushing 'post-photographer' Antti Karppinen, Kurio fed AI with the illustrations of Ellen and created a model, a code that is Ellen as a real-life 7 year-old girl. To get the right look, the team worked closely with the mother of Ellen, the illustrator Eveliina.

As Antti Karppinen puts it: “As an AI specialist, this project was both challenging and thrilling. I had to employ all my skills and tools to make Ellen look as life-like as possible. The results, however, were beyond even my expectations. The project showcased the boundless possibilities that these emerging technologies offer in storytelling and visual productions.”