Group 1 - The article discusses the rising trend of virtual idols in Japan, exemplified by the virtual singer Mori Calliope, who performed at a sold-out concert in Hollywood, attracting around 4,000 fans [1] - The management company behind Mori Calliope, Hololive, aims to establish virtual idols as a significant cultural export from Japan, with nearly half of its idols primarily using English rather than Japanese [1] - A forecast predicts that the niche market for virtual idols could grow to nearly $4 billion in annual revenue by 2030 [1] Group 2 - The CEO of the management company, Motoaki Tanigo, highlights the potential competition from South Korea, where trained virtual idols may achieve exponential growth in the U.S. market [1] - Tanigo emphasizes that the human element behind virtual idols is crucial for connecting with fans, stating that they do not intend to use generative AI to create new virtual artists [2] - Professor Ken Okamoto from Kinki University expresses confidence in the industry's future, suggesting that advancements in virtual technologies may lead to a seamless integration of real life and virtual idol experiences [2]