Aespa's AI Naevis Triggers Divided Reactions With Her Upcoming Solo Debut

SM Entertainment girl group æspa isn’t just the four members: Karina, Winter, Ningning, and Giselle. There’s also Nævis.

æspa with Nævis | SM Entertainment — æspa with Nævis | *SM Entertainment*

The group’s lore has long been intertwined with the Metaverse, with each member having their own computer-generated æ-aespa counterparts.

aespa’s Karina and her counterpart. | @aespa_official/X — aespa’s Karina and her counterpart. | *@aespa_official/X*

Another AI (Artificial Intelligence) in aespa’s universe is the character Nævis (also known as NAVIS or Naevis). She is responsible for helping the group and their avatars coexist as they fight the fictional Black Mamba villain.

On January 25, 2023, it was announced that Nævis would make her official stage debut in March. SM Entertainment’s CEO Lee Sung Soo (also known as Chris Lee) revealed the company’s plans to present her as an “AI artist.”

Nævis’ voice was reported to have been created through the analysis of twelve different voice actors. Her official debut stage was reported to occur at the international music festival SXSW (also known as South By South West), with a VR concert, including the four members and Nævis.

Naevis, who had only appeared so far as a CG image in aespa’s music videos, is in plans to be shown as an AI artist. She will be an artist born by mobilizing skills for natural movements, newly created voice, and real time communication.

— SM Entertainment CEO Lee Sung Soo

Yet, the festival occurred, and Nævis did not make her debut. Fans wondered if SM Entertainment scrapped the idea of Nævis’ solo debut.

Did SM Entertainment just forget about Naevis’s debut?
byu/grumio123 inkpopthoughts

Comment
byu/grumio123 from discussion
inkpopthoughts

Now, after over a year, Nævis is finally debuting!

Nævis is reportedly debuting on September 10 with the single “Done.” According to reports, SM Entertainment utilized the power of AI-generated content and a voice crafted using advanced AI techniques to make her debut happen.

SM Entertainment has launched social media channels for Nævis and dropped a set of concept photos for her debut single, “Done.” It showcases the AI idol’s visuals with the backdrop of the virtual world.

Netizens were in awe of Nævis’ design, with many saying it appears she is a mix of the æspa members’ visuals. Some even see a resemblance to Red Velvet‘s Wendy.

Netizens joked that Nævis was the “most uncontroversial idol ever.” Nonetheless, she received criticism, as many are opposed to the usage of AI, as there’s a discourse on its ethicality. Many feel that AI is stealing jobs, and in this case, specifically, it’s unfair for an AI character to make her debut before many trainees and idols.

Some attempted to defend Nævis, saying that while she’s an AI character, she was likely still created by people using CGI. So, people were still employed.