From customisation to behaviour
Most digital avatars change when users deliberately customise them. Digital representation change could also happen because of the way a person behaves.
Repeated choices could gradually influence appearance, abilities or other characteristics. These changes could then become feedback. Instead of simply representing what a user selected, the digital identity could begin to represent a history of interaction.
Why digital representation change matters
Digital representation change is one of the foundations of ADID. If a representation evolves with action, the person can observe patterns, reflect on them and decide whether the change feels personally meaningful.
However, the system should not claim to define who the person is. Instead, digital representation change creates conditions for observation and interpretation over time.
Next steps in the research
Also see Adaptive Digital Identity Development, the simulation, and why we are developing ADID. For the basic concept, read what is digital identity.