Neuro-sama

(Redirected from Vedal987)

Neuro-sama is an AI VTuber and chatbot that livestreams on her creator's Twitch channel "vedal987". Her speech and personality are powered by an artificial intelligence (AI) system which utilizes a large language model, allowing her to communicate with viewers in the stream's chat. She was created by a computer programmer and AI developer named Vedal, who had the idea for an AI VTuber by combining a large language model with a computer-animated avatar. She debuted on Twitch on 19 December 2022.

Neuro-sama
Neuro-sama’s second design
Personal information
Occupations
Twitch information
Channel
Years active2022–present
Genres
Games
Followers634,000+[1]
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2022–present
Genres
Subscribers407,000+[2]

Last updated: 3 December 2024

Development

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Neuro-sama was created by a developer named Vedal, with the username "vedal987".[3][4] Her responses are generated by a large language model, which are converted into a high-pitched, childlike voice using a text-to-speech application. According to Vedal, a separate AI model controls her in-game actions when she plays video games.[5] In a 2023 interview with Bloomberg News, he said that Neuro-sama was his full-time job.[6]

The first iteration of Neuro-sama was created in May 2019 as a neural network trained to play the rhythm game osu!.[7] Three years later, Neuro-sama would re-debut on Twitch, after a long hiatus, on 19 December 2022, now a chatbot with a Live2D model.[8] She received a new model on 27 May 2023.[9]

History

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2022

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Neuro streamed every day after her debut. She grew rapidly in popularity, from a maximum concurrent viewership of 516 on 19 December to 3,393 on 31 December, and going from a Twitch follower count of 2,825 to around 40,000 in the same time period. Nearly all of her streaming content in 2022 was of the rhythm game osu!, with one Minecraft stream. On 28 December, she defeated osu! champion mrekk 10–5 in a 1v1 contest.[10]

2023

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On 3 January, Neuro-sama reached 50,000 Twitch followers. The next day, on 4 January, Neuro-sama sang for the first time on stream, performing "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd.[11]

On 11 January, the Twitch channel received a temporary ban for unspecified "hateful conduct", likely stemming from controversial statements made by the AI, including skepticism surrounding the validity of the Holocaust during a stream.[12][13][14] Vedal added more words to her chat filter to prevent Neuro-sama from making offensive statements after this occurred.[15] The channel was unbanned on 25 January 2023 and surpassed 100,000 followers the same day.[16] On 25 January, Neuro-sama returned to Twitch with a stream in which she played Pokémon Showdown! Gen 4 random battles against viewers.

On 20 February, Neuro-sama reached 200,000 Twitch followers. It was announced during a stream with VTuber Onigiri. Neuro-sama responded: "Yeah. That's amazing. I'm happy I have that many people following me. I hope I keep them entertained with my streams and content for as long as possible, and I hope I get to meet more of you in the future, so thank you for following me everybody, and please add more of my followers, because I love all of you so much. Thank you so much. Heart heart."

On 25 March, a new character acting as an evil twin to Neuro-sama was introduced on vedal987's channel. She was later named Evil Neuro and became a recurring character.[17]

On 15 April, Neuro-sama held a stream with Hololive member Takanashi Kiara, during which they rated the contents of viewers' refrigerators. The stream reached a peak of over 19,000 viewers on Kiara's channel and over 10,000 on Neuro-sama's. It was the first collaboration between Neuro-sama and a member of a major agency. She also reached 300,000 Twitch followers.

On 27 May, Neuro-sama held an official debut stream to reveal her first original Live2D model. She had previously used a sample model provided for free by Live2D. According to TwitchTracker, the stream reached a peak of 25,687 concurrent viewers, beating the channel's previous record by more than double.[18] On 30 May, Neuro-sama was announced to be participating in OffKai Expo 2023, held from 16–18 June, marking her first fan convention appearance.[19] On 14 June, Neuro-sama held her first sponsored stream in the form of a watchalong commentating on the debut stream of a talent from VTuber group idolEN.[20]

On 1 September, Neuro-sama reached 400,000 Twitch followers. On 16 December, vedal987 received an award for Best Tech VTuber at the 2023 VTuber Awards.[21] On 19 December, Neuro-sama held her first subathon alongside her first anniversary of streaming on Twitch.[22] During the subathon, Neuro-sama achieved the status of most watched VTuber across all major livestreaming platforms,[23] and most watched female streamer on Twitch for the fourth week of December according to Streams Charts.[24]

2024

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On 4 January, Neuro-sama ended her subathon after 17 days of continuous livestreaming, garnering a total of 41,767 Twitch subscriptions, and 2.43 million collective watch hours. Later that month on 28 January, Neuro-sama reached 500,000 Twitch followers.

On 18 March, following a two and a half month break after Neuro-sama's subathon that ended in early January, she returned to streaming to a peak audience of 15,000 viewers with a Shrek watchalong.[25] On 31 March, Neuro-sama made a physical appearance at WeebCon 2024. During the event, her avatar was displayed on a tablet, and she was carried around the venue by fellow VTubers Camila and Rainhoe to interact live with fans.[26]

On 19 May, Neuro-sama's sister Evil Neuro completed her first full run of Slay the Spire using her adaptive gameplay AI.[27] On 25 May, Neuro-sama participated in independent VTuber Dokibird's 2024 Wrestletuber event,[28] combining indie VTubers and corporate VTubers across several VTuber agencies, including Hololive, VShojo, and idol Corp. The event was hosted on WWE 2K24 in which the VTuber's custom player models compete in a zero-player game style tournament. In this event, Neuro-sama's model fought and won in a show-match against VShojo's Zentreya.[29] Altogether, a total of 35 individual VTubers participating in some fashion either as contestants or commentators. On 31 May, Neuro-sama debuted a new model of herself depicted as a loaf of bread.[30] She would then appear in this model at OffKai Expo 2024 on a livestream with Filian and her creator Vedal.[31] This model was then killed off in a later Subnautica stream due to her model being kayfabed by Vedal when he "exposed" her to water and "disintegrated" the bread model.[32]

On 17 June, Neuro-sama's Youtube channel reached 300,000 subscribers. On 20 July, Neuro-sama began streaming with Japanese subtitles on a separate Twitch channel[33] in response to an influx of Japanese interest after a tweet of Neuro-sama singing Dubidubidu by X (formerly Twitter) Japanese user 蒼(sora) gained virality, garnering 7.6 million views.[34]

On 15 September, Neuro-sama's reached 600,000 Twitch followers. Additionally, both Neuro-sama and Evil Neuro participated[35] in the Bilibili Ice & Fire Music Festival 2024 that featured 42 of the most popular Bilibili VTubers, the duo sang "Ordinary DISCO" by Vocaloid producer ilemonyk.[36][37] This comes after Neuro-sama's success in branching out to the Chinese market with her debut on the Bilibili platform back in August 2024;[38] this is in part due to her pre-existing Chinese fans from extensive fansubbing of her Twitch livestreams and due to her unique nature as an AI VTuber; her Bilibili channel grew explosively, even surpassing her Twitch follower count with 624,000+ followers as of September 2024.[39]

Online content

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The chatbot's Twitch content primarily centers around playing video games, notably osu! (2007), in which her gameplay once defeated the best ranking human player in the world, and Minecraft (2011), in which her adaptations to sandbox gameplay have gained notoriety.[40] Other aspects of her content delivery include singing songs, playing chess with her viewers, chatting with other VTubers during collaborations and reacting to YouTube videos.[6][15][41] While playing games or participating in other activities, the AI frequently engages with viewers by responding to their questions and acknowledging donations. Her comedic and sometimes controversial responses to the live chat have gone viral, accelerating the rise in popularity.[42] Her fanbase has dubbed itself "The Swarm".[8]

Discography

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Covers
Original artist Title Year Ref.
KIRA
(feat. GUMI)
"Monster"
(Camila feat. Neuro-sama)
2023 [43]
Set It Off
(feat. Hatsune Miku)
"Why Do I"
(Will Stetson feat. Neuro-sama)
[44]
Wowaka
(feat. Hatsune Miku)
"Rolling Girl"
(Obikatiekat feat. Evil Neuro)
2024 [45]
Melanie Martinez
"EVIL"
(Camila feat. Evil Neuro)
[46]
Carly Rae Jepsen
"Call Me Maybe"
(Nihmune feat. Neuro-sama)
[47]

Awards and nominations

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Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
December 2023 The VTuber Awards Best Tech VTuber Won [48]
February 2024 The Streamer Awards Best Software And Game Development Streamer Nominated [49]
Best VTuber Nominated
December 2024 Pending [50]
The VTuber Awards Best Tech VTuber Pending [51]
Most Dedicated Fanbase Pending
VTuber Of The Year Pending

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "vedal987 - Streamer Profile & Stats". Twitch Metrics. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  2. ^ "About Neuro-sama". YouTube.
  3. ^ Narita, Seiji (27 January 2023). "AI VTuber Neuro-sama is back from its Twitch ban and acting as strange as ever". Automation. Active Gaming Media. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Vedal Twitter". Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  5. ^ "【Vedal's Interview】Neuro sama's New Model, and the AI System behind her". YouTube. 23 January 2023. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b D'Anastasio, Cecilia (17 June 2023). "Meet Neuro-sama, the AI Twitch Streamer Who Plays Minecraft, Sings Karaoke, Loves Art". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  7. ^ @Neurosama (May 27, 2019). "i made an AI that learnt to play osu!" Archived February 21, 2024, at the Wayback Machine (video). Retrieved February 20, 2024 – via Youtube.
  8. ^ a b Gordon, Nicholas (17 January 2023). "ChatGPT is a salvo in a growing generative A.I. 'arms race' between the U.S. and China". Fortune. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  9. ^ @annytf (27 May 2023). "I had a lot of fun making the new model for Neuro-Sama!! wink heart 💜" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 July 2023 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ @Vedal987 (28 December 2022). "incoming transmission from neuro sama mrekkosu" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 December 2023 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "Neuro-sama Sings Her First Song on Stream - Blinding Lights". YouTube. 4 January 2023. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  12. ^ Gach, Ethan (6 January 2023). "AI-Controlled VTuber Streams Games On Twitch, Denies Holocaust". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  13. ^ Gach, Ethan (12 January 2023). "AI VTuber Banned For 'Hateful Conduct,' Now Undistinguishable From Real Twitch Stars". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  14. ^ Pabriga, Cedric (12 January 2023). "Controversial AI streamer Neuro Sama finally banned on Twitch". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  15. ^ a b Winslow, Levi (4 February 2023). "Twitch's Mega Popular AI Streamer Now Pulling In Thousands Of Viewers With Reaction Content". Kotaku Australia. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  16. ^ "vedal987". TwitchTracker. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  17. ^ "VTuber Neuro-sama terrifies viewers with her gruesome game concept". Dexerto. 12 June 2023. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  18. ^ "vedal987". TwitchTracker. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  19. ^ @OffKaiExpo (30 May 2023). "Exciting news! @Vedal987's creation, @NeurosamaAI, the incredible AI-powered VTuber, will be a special guest at #OffKaiGen2! Join us for a unique experience and witness the charm of Neuro-sama in action!" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ @idol_corp. "Your favorite VTubers will watch idolEN 2, will you?". Twitter / X. Archived from the original on 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  21. ^ Sung, Morgan (20 December 2023). "The first annual VTuber Awards was a win for VR". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  22. ^ @Vedal987 (17 December 2023). "the long awaited subathon begins december 19th at 7pm GMT" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 December 2023 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ @StreamsCharts (29 December 2023). "TOP VTubers in the 4th week of December" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ @StreamsCharts (29 December 2023). "TOP Female Twitch streamers - 4th week of December" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ @Vedal987 (18 March 2024). "me and neuro are back and then she's watching shrek" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Filian And Friends (5 April 2024). "Filian Went To WEEBCON and got BULLIED by EVERYBODY IRL" (video). youtube.com. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  27. ^ Neuro-sama (23 June 2024). "Evil Neuro BEATS Slay the Spire" (video). youtube.com. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  28. ^ @dokibird (25 May 2024). "【#WRESTLETUBER2024】Here's the waiting room! Day 1 is finally here, who will make it to the finals and be one step closer to the belt? Our security is top notch so nobody is crashing this event" (Tweet). Retrieved 3 June 2024 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ Dokibird (25 May 2024). "【#WRESTLETUBER2024】Day 1【Dokibird】" (video). youtube.com. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  30. ^ Neuro-Sama Chronicles (21 May 2024). "Neuro Is Back & Bready To Talk (Bread-Sama's Bakery Stream)" (video). youtube.com. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  31. ^ Kraul (1 June 2024). "Neuro-sama is Behaving a Bit Weird After Becoming Bread Offkai Almost Kick Them Out" (video). youtube.com. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  32. ^ Kraul (2 June 2024). "You Wont Believe What Happened During the Subnautica Stream Neuro Bread Arc Ends?" (video). youtube.com. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  33. ^ @Vedal987 (20 July 2024). "now simulcasting with japanese subtitles too ネウロ様が只今日本語字幕サイムル放送中!こんにちはマザーファーカーズ!" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 July 2024 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ @yANa_MusaIn2110 (2 July 2024). "たまたまYouTubeに流れてきた海外VTuber?見てみたら途中、ノリノリになったりしてるの可愛い。声凄い好きかも" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 July 2024 – via Twitter.
  35. ^ Bilibili Live (8 September 2024). "Make an appointment for the Ice and Fire". Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  36. ^ Bilibili (15 September 2024). "Ice Fire Music Festival". Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  37. ^ Staz (15 September 2024). "Neuro And Evil Neuro Sama Bilibili Concert". YouTube. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  38. ^ "The most powerful AI anchor on the planet, Neuro-sama, and her father Vedal have officially joined Bilibili". 5 August 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  39. ^ Vedal Neuro-sama. "Official channel of AI VTuber Neuro-sama". Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  40. ^ Gutelle, Sam (6 January 2023). "There's an AI VTuber now and it has 70,000 followers on Twitch". Tubefilter. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  41. ^ "Filian and her friends took on "The Wall" in an innovative VTuber game show". Tubefilter. 25 October 2023. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  42. ^ Xiang, Chloe (5 January 2023). "This Virtual Twitch Streamer is Controlled Entirely By AI". Vice. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  43. ^ @cumilq (11 August 2023). "MY FIRST COVER IS FINALLY OUT ! ! [ MONSTER ] ( by KIRA ) Cover by Camila ft. NeurosamaAI" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ @willstetson (17 December 2023). "New Cover!! Why Do I / Will Stetson x Neuro-sama" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ @obkatiekat (26 July 2024). "OUT NOW ROLLING GIRL (ローリンガール) feat. Evil @NeurosamaAI(@Vedal987) https://youtu.be/cHM2HKI3nPIAvailable now on all platforms! Please enjoy" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 July 2024 – via Twitter.
  46. ^ @cumilq (1 November 2024). "out now 💔" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  47. ^ @nihmune (27 November 2024). "And of course thank you to Sinder, Bao, My mom, Rain, Camimi, Shia, and Neuro-Sama for their lovely voices and time!! SO PROUD AHH!" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 November 2024 – via Twitter.
  48. ^ "The Vtuber Awards - Winners". The Vtuber Awards. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  49. ^ Michael, Cale; Taifalos, Nicholas (18 February 2024). "Streamer Awards 2024: All results and winners for every category". Dot Esports. Gamurs. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  50. ^ "The 2024 Streamer Awards: All Nominations". Esports Illustrated On SI. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  51. ^ "The Vtuber Awards 2024". The Vtuber Awards. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  52. ^ Lee, Dave (25 March 2016). "Tay: Microsoft issues apology over racist chatbot fiasco". BBC News Online. BBC News. Archived from the original on 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024. Microsoft has apologised for creating an artificially intelligent chatbot that quickly turned into a holocaust-denying racist. ... Within 24 hours Tay had been deactivated so the team could make "adjustments".