7 papers
Navigating the Open-Source Model Ecosystem: An Empirical Study of Creator Practices in Artistic Image Generation
Yiluo Wei, Yupeng He, Qiming Ye +1
The open-sourcing of powerful image generation models has created a vibrant ecosystem where creators curate and combine a vast array of community-contributed models. This practice…
Understanding the Consequences of VTuber Reincarnation
Yiluo Wei, Gareth Tyson
The rapid proliferation of VTubers, digital avatars controlled and voiced by human actors (Nakanohito), has created a lucrative and popular entertainment ecosystem. However, the pr…
Benchmarking and Understanding Safety Risks in AI Character Platforms
Yiluo Wei, Peixian Zhang, Gareth Tyson
AI character platforms, which allow users to engage in conversations with AI personas, are a rapidly growing application domain. However, their immersive and personalized nature, c…
An Empirical Analysis of the Nostr Social Network: Decentralization, Availability, and Replication Overhead
Yiluo Wei, Gareth Tyson
Nostr is a decentralized social network launched in 2022, emphasizing high availability and censorship resistance. Since launching, it has gained substantial attention, boasting ov…
Even More Kawaii than Real-Person-Driven VTubers? Understanding How Viewers Perceive AI-Driven VTubers
Yiluo Wei, Yupeng He, Gareth Tyson
VTubers, digital personas represented by animated avatars, have gained massive popularity. Traditionally, VTubers are operated and voiced by human controllers known as Nakanohito.…
Understanding Fanchuan in Livestreaming Platforms: A New Form of Online Antisocial Behavior
Yiluo Wei, Jiahui He, Gareth Tyson
Recently, a distinct form of online antisocial behavior, known as "fanchuan", has emerged across online platforms, particularly in livestreaming chats. Fanchuan is an indirect atta…