SHEM*

An AR Contemporary oracle

PROTOTYPE

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PROTOTYPE *

Once, oracles were embodied and shared—today, they exist as disembodied interfaces like Google or ChatGPT.

I believe that at the intersection of AI and XR, there’s real potential to come full circle—to bridge the isolation digital life has created and reimagine shared public spaces for connection and collective imagination.

‘SHEM’ is a speculative project that reimagines a 4,000-year-old sculpture as an augmented reality oracle, brought to life through AI. In contrast to these fast, function-driven tools, SHEM offers a slow, embodied encounter—inviting users to meet in a shared space, pause, reflect, and take part in a digital ritual of questioning.
It envisions a future where AI isn’t hidden in the cloud, but rooted in place—reclaiming public space as a site for connection, presence, and imagination.

Historical Inspiration

Like many of my projects, this one was sparked by history, inspired by a visit to the museum.

Research Phase

I delved into historical records and archaeological findings to understand the context and significance of the original sculpture

Design & Development

Using the Meshy app, I employed AI to reconstruct the sculpture into a detailed 3D model.

3D Reconstruction with AI

I integrated the oracle as an AI-driven NPC within Unreal Engine 5, enabling interactive experiences."

Promting

I prompted the oracle’s characteristics to generate concise, symbolic responses—carefully crafted for later integration into an Unreal Engine plugin.

And then theres this magical moment, when you try it for the first time

You know it’s not quite fully there—but once it’s embodied, you can’t help but love it.
Right now, it’s a prototype—but the potential is real, especially once it finds its way online and into the public space it’s meant for.

Project Technical Details

  • 3D Scanning & Reconstruction:
    Scanned the original sculpture and used Meshy AI to generate high-resolution 3D models.

  • 3D Modeling & Editing:
    Cleaned, edited, and optimized the model using Blender and Nomad Sculpt.

  • AR Development:
    Integrated the model and interactions using Unreal Engine 5, with a focus on Niagara for ambient effects and Lumen for real-time lighting.

  • AI Character Logic:
    Designed and embedded AI-driven responses using a custom prompt system, prepared for integration with an AI NPC plugin in Unreal.

  • Interaction Design:
    Built for future use in mobile AR and headset-based experiences, with a focus on slow, contemplative user flow.