As technology becomes increasingly intertwined with our everyday lives, a fascinating future begins to emerge - one where we may have a digital counterpart: a twin that grows with us, learns from us, supports us, and even continues our legacy after we’re gone.
But what does it really mean to live alongside a digital twin? Can this convergence of the human and digital realms create a better future for individuals and society as a whole?
These are the types of questions being explored by Ghislaine Boddington, Senior Researcher at the University of Greenwich and a global pioneer in digital identity and virtual interaction. For over three decades, Ghislaine has examined how technology shapes and represents our living bodies in the digital world, turning her lifelong inquiry into impactful research and public engagement.
Her most recent initiative, Digital Human Twin – Our Future Data Selves, brings together years of academic insight and creative practice to investigate the merging of our physical and digital identities. Digital human twins are more than avatars - they are AI-enhanced, real-time representations of ourselves, built from biometric data collected directly from our bodies. These digital selves have the potential to revolutionise healthcare, personal development, identity management, and even redefine how we express ourselves.
In practical terms, a digital twin is created using continuous streams of biological data - such as heart rate, movement, and voice - fed into a digital avatar. Over time, the twin begins to mirror us more closely, offering insights, guidance, and an extension of our presence in ways once only imagined.
This vision reached a global audience in December 2024, when Ghislaine wrote and presented a research documentary, Me and My Digital Twin, aired on the BBC World Service. The documentary follows her journey to create her own digital twin, meeting with cardiologists, engineers, performance artists and tech innovators. Together, they explore how digital twin technology is already being used to support mental and physical health, boost creativity, and enhance performance in both medical and artistic fields.
More than a glimpse into the future, the documentary highlights the real-world impact of Ghislaine’s work. As she powerfully concludes:
“A digital twin must be more than a tool; it must be a trusted companion that reflects our essence and evolves with us.”
Backed by a strong commitment to ethical development and human-centric design, Digital Human Twin is part of a broader body of pioneering research at the University of Greenwich. Through this work, Ghislaine and her team continue to shape a future where our relationship with technology is not only functional but meaningful - enhancing our wellbeing, preserving our identities, and deepening what it means to be human in the digital age.
