Virtual humans helping to train psychologists

Research scientists at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies have invented a new technology that will allow virtually created humans to interact with therapists via a computer screen. This technology will have a significant impact on how clinical training is conducted in the field of psychology and medicine. Highly artificially intelligent, virtual humans are able to mimic the symptoms of a patient with clinical psychological disorders. Main benefit of this invention is that before interacting with actual patients, newly trained clinicians can gain exposure to a variety of clinical conditions in a safe and effective environment. The virtual reality laboratory is launching a project funded by U.S. Department of Defense, using the information from the latest research and the related user tests  will assist in further modifying the characters for military clinical training.