If you’ve ever desired to engage in a conversation with the legendary Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe, you will soon have the opportunity to do so—albeit in a virtual realm. Soul Machines, a San Francisco-based company, has unveiled “Digital Marilyn,” an interactive video avatar designed to offer a personalized, real-time interactive experience.
The concept behind this innovation, as explained by Soul Machines in a blog post, goes beyond mere nostalgia. The company highlights how advancements in AI technology can be leveraged to pay tribute to and reenvision iconic personalities in an interactive and captivating manner.
Transitioning from traditional static searches to text-based chats and now to conversational AI represents a significant paradigm shift towards engaging in conversational interactions with multimodal capabilities, according to Soul Machines as shared in a document with Decrypt.
Soul Machines collaborated with Monroe’s estate to resurrect the renowned actress using their technology. CEO Greg Cross emphasized on the company’s website that their technology is intended to complement and not replace entertainers, emphasizing the importance of forming genuine partnerships that are endorsed by and beneficial to the artists involved.
Image: Soul Machines
Apart from Monroe, Soul Machines offers various other AI avatars, such as musician Mark Tuan, boxer Francis Ngannou, and golf icon Jack Nicklaus. The AI developed by Soul Machines operates on what they term “Biological AI,” which aims to authentically replicate human-like behaviors.
Diverging from existing generative AI approaches, Soul Machines prioritizes cognitive modeling by replicating human brain and body interactions, drawing inspiration from neuroscience and cognitive science. Their methodology focuses on modeling human cognitive processes, learning, and developmental trajectories to achieve more lifelike behaviors.
Soul Machines is part of a growing trend of generative AI models tailored to emulate celebrities and engage with their fan base. In a similar vein, adult performer Brandi Love recently joined Twitch star Amouranth and Caryn Marjorie as AI avatars on the Forever Voices AI platform and Telegram.
While AI companions may be a novelty, the use of artificial intelligence to replicate human beings remains a contentious issue in the realms of entertainment and politics. The conclusion of the SAG-AFTRA WGA strikes in November, following extensive negotiations with the AMPTP, marked a significant milestone as agreements were reached to address concerns related to AI, among other demands.
As the industry closely monitors AI developments, companies like Soul Machines, Respeecher, and Metaphysic are stepping in to offer their services to Hollywood, providing users with the opportunity to interact with their favorite celebrities, whether they are alive or deceased.
Greg Cross emphasized, “At Soul Machines, our AI technology is geared towards enhancing engagement and fostering connections between celebrities and fans worldwide. AI technology should empower artists, not supplant them.”
Edited by Ryan Ozawa.
