Marilyn Monroe, who died 62 years ago, has been reincarnated as a “hyperreal” AI-generated digital avatar that lets fans engage in interactions with the late actor – featuring Marilyn’s signature voice. And can answer questions in style. The company behind the project.
AI technology firm Soul Machines unveiled Digital Marilyn, an interactive experience in which she “shares stories and even offers personalized greetings, creating an unforgettable experience for Marilyn fans. Experience is born.”
Soul Machines announced the project on Friday, saying the AI-powered Digital Marlin chatbot lets you “convers in real time using advanced natural language processing, deep learning and GPT 3.5.”
Digital Marlin Soul is able to read users’ emotions and respond accordingly through the machine’s proprietary camera and microphone technology, the company said. “Every interaction is unique. Digital Marilyn analyzes your preferences and tailors its responses accordingly, fostering a genuine connection that resonates with you on an individual level,” according to Soul Machines, which says the average length of a conversation with its digital avatars is 20 minutes.
According to the company, Digital Marlin’s AI capabilities enable it to “engage in natural, fluid conversations, adapting to your questions and interests in real time… By mimicking the human nervous system, this technology makes Digital Marlin a reality.” “Allows to respond with graceful emotion and subtle expression. Creating a deeply personal and memorable experience.”
The Digital Marlin project is the latest in a string of other recent generative-AI initiatives involving dead celebrities. These include an animated biopic of French singer Edith Piaf that will use AI to create a facsimile of her voice and image, and the AI-generated voice of the Calm app reading Jimmy Stewart a bedtime story.
Soul Machines is providing a first look at Digital Marlin at an invite-only event at SXSW in Austin on Friday, March 8th. The project aims to “demonstrate the transformative power of AI in connecting brands and consumers,” said Greg Cross, CEO. Co-founder of Soul Machines.
“Digital Marilyn showcases our biological AI, bringing a celebrity to life through engaging dialogue and emotional intelligence,” Cross said in a statement. “This is more than nostalgia; it’s a glimpse into the future of immersive interactions.”
The Marilyn Monroe generative-AI chatbot was developed in partnership with Authentic Brand Groups, which manages the rights to the late actor’s image and likeness.
“Marilyn Monroe remains a timeless icon, inspiring generations with her talent, charisma and enduring legacy,” Dana Carpenter, EVP of Entertainment at Authentic, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to partner with Soul Machines, whose cutting-edge technology is the perfect match to bring Marilyn to life in the AI age. While Marilyn Monroe can never be replaced or replicated, digital Marilyn fans will continue to be loved by generations of fans. It opens up exciting possibilities for engaging with it in a whole new way, fostering a deeper connection with it and appreciating its enduring spirit and the mark it has left on the world.
Soul Machines has created other AI-based “digital celebrities,” including Carmelo Anthony, Jack Nicklaus, Mark Tuan and Francis Ngannou. The company was founded in 2016 by Cross and Oscar-winning VFX supervisor and engineer Mark Sager. Authentic Brands Group’s brand portfolio includes Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham, Dr. J, Greg Norman, Sports Illustrated and more.