> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.foretellreality.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.foretellreality.com/foretell-ai/authoring-tool/ai-personas/character-identity.md).

# Character Identity

The first step in creating a simulation is defining who your character is:

## Name and Role

* Give a name, age, and a role
* Select an appearance for the AI agent

<figure><img src="/files/dMrc9REWJUOFNWKIKGjO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Voice

* Voice Engine - There are two voice engines implemented in our platform:
  * OpenAI - Less voice options, but greater emotional range
    * OpenAI has 7 newer voices that do a better job at emotions:\
      Ash, Ballad, Coral, Sage, Verse, Marin, and Cedar
    * OpenAI is more flexible when speaking in different languages.
  * Eleven Labs - Lots of voice options for different accents and characters, but somewhat less flexible emotional range
    * Eleven Labs' voices maintain a strong accent when speaking a different language, so it’s best to use them for the originally intended language only

<figure><img src="/files/tUA7HImKXKhavwjx60o3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Language and Accent - Choose the language and accent of the AI agent

<figure><img src="/files/MNyLadpNNnK53R2OZRlN" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Tone - this allows you to define the general emotional tone of the AI’s voice.
  * You can create custom tones if the dropdown doesn’t list an option you like, though try to keep it to one or two words if possible

<figure><img src="/files/dZfCQm9xSoAtEJpBRwzN" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Open AI Advanced Voice Settings - More control over voice detection, speed, and interruption settings when using the Open AI voice model
  * Voice Speed - Control how quickly the AI persona speaks, useful for slowing things down for users who are unfamiliar with the language
  * Turn Detection - How the AI decides when you have finished talking.
    * Volume-Based - AI will start talking when it detects a certain amount of silence
    * Semantic (AI-Based) - AI will start talking when it decides you have finished your thought.
  * Voice Activation Threshold - How loud the speaker must be for the AI to be interrupted.
  * Pre-Speech Padding - Usually not changed, affects how much data is sent from before speech was detected by the AI system
  * Silence Duration - How long the AI Persona will wait during silence before responding
  * Transcription Model - The AI model used to create the text transcription of the conversation
  * Noise Reduction - The algorithm used on the Open AI end to reduce noise
    * Noise reduction has a tendency to cause misunderstandings of users with poor microphones

<figure><img src="/files/Nc7YzTrRiSUYCAKkqrFa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Opening Line

While there is the option of allowing the trainee to start the conversation, we recommend giving the AI agent something to say to mark the beginning of the conversation

* Open AI - There are “Start Instructions” where you can type directions on how to start the conversation
  * We recommend creating a special context section called “Opening Line” in the Advanced Options section and giving the instruction “Say the opening line \[with desired emotion]”

<figure><img src="/files/GT9E6jBlFxed2vJP5Qog" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/vzkXiUEzs7SIhv5tTAuI" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Eleven Labs - The “First Message” box is where you type the first thing that the AI agent will say, as long as you enable the "AI Persona Starts Conversation" toggle

<figure><img src="/files/fbh914HbttTEt4KgnVjr" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Background and Context

This "Additional Detail" is typically automatically added in Advanced Settings when creating a new simulation.

* Provide the immediate context of the conversation
* Why is the conversation occurring? Why is the AI Agent here?
* What is the AI agent feeling going into the conversation?

<figure><img src="/files/GYxGH45CdaP9DqfYCkVo" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Personal and Professional Background

These two "Additional Details" are typically automatically added in Advanced Settings when creating a new simulation.

* What does this character do, either in personal life, or professionally, that would impact how they behave in this conversation?
* Avoid giving your agent multiple identities such as “you are a teacher pretending to be an interviewer for your student”
* Avoid references to the AI simulation
* Try to keep your instructions to one sentence at a time, almost like a bullet point list. Longer paragraphs are more difficult for the AI agent to understand

<figure><img src="/files/7RajiyhMQbQXLUZlAmut" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Goals and Objectives

The "Persona's Objectives" is an "Additional Detail" that is typically automatically added in Advanced Settings when creating a new simulation.

* What is the AI agent trying to achieve in this conversation?
* How does the AI agent know when it has succeeded in its goals?

<figure><img src="/files/ay2K0jAdf2DshDWaezIS" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Be Specific and Concise

The AI agent can fill out the conversation once it knows a list of true things about itself.&#x20;

* The author's role is to provide enough specific details for it to work with so that it doesn't have to invent a personality from scratch
* These details should be short, to avoid confusing the AI agent
* Make sure that your instructions focus on what you want to happen, rather on what you don’t want to happen, as the AI agent can sometimes get confused
  * “Don’t talk about a pink elephant” might actually cause the AI to mention elephants more than normal, instead use more proactive instructions and conditions like “if animals are mentioned bring the focus back onto the primary topic of conversation”


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