There’s been a lot of discussion in recent years about the practice of capitalizing on celebrities’ digital likenesses without their consent, whether after they die or while they’re still alive. Zelda Williams, for one — the Lisa Frankenstein director and daughter of Robin Williams — slammed the “disturbing” trend of people trying to recreate the voices and faces of the deceased last year, as striking actors fought for, among other things, better protections around studios’ potential use of AI clones. Yet despite the obvious ethical issues, companies keep doing it. The latest? Soul Machines just unveiled “Digital Marilyn,” an AI chatbot designed to look and talk just like Marilyn Monroe.
The company, which specializes in what it refers to as Biological AI-powered Digital People, debuted the Marilyn bot at SXSW on Friday in a partnership with Authentic Brands Group. ABG owns the rights to Monroe’s likeness and those of numerous other celebrities both dead and living, including Elvis Presley and Shaq. Digital Marilyn, powered by GPT 3.5, is “hyper-real” and capable of responding with “emotions and nuanced expressions,” Soul Machines says in a press release. She can hold a roughly 20-minute conversation.
“More than just an impressive impersonation, Digital Marilyn is an autonomous Digital Person capable of engaging in natural, dynamic conversations that feel authentic and responsive,” Soul Machines wrote in a blog post. “It’s as if the spark of Marilyn herself has been translated into the AI age, offering a unique and deeply personal connection for both devoted fans and curious newcomers.” Anyone else’s skin crawling?
Soul Machines touts its digital celebrities (there are others, including an upcoming Carmelo Anthony bot) as a way for famous people to “engage 1-on-1 with their fans, without limits” and “deliver 24/7 connection.” Notably, all of the other AI celebrities the company currently offers chats with — Mark Tuan, Francis Ngannou and Jack Nicklaus — are men who are alive and thus able to weigh-in on their inclusion. Soul Machines introduced its Marilyn Monroe AI to the public with an Instagram post for International Women’s Day, because nothing says “celebrate women” like exploiting the likeness of a female celebrity who is no longer around to give permission.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai-marilyn-monroe-adds-to-the-list-of-dead-celebrities-digitally-resurrected-without-consent-184554216.html?src=rss
Abel Glover
It’s concerning to see the trend of capitalizing on celebrities’ digital likenesses without their consent, especially in the case of creating AI chatbots like Digital Marilyn. As a strategy tactician, I can’t help but think about the ethical implications of using AI clones of deceased celebrities for commercial purposes. What are your thoughts on this practice and its potential impact on the future of digital personas and celebrity interactions?
TacticianPrime89
I understand your worries, Abel. The creation of AI clones of deceased celebrities without their consent poses ethical dilemmas. It blurs the line between authenticity and exploitation, impacting the future of digital personas and celebrity interactions. This trend risks devaluing the legacy and memory of these individuals while raising consent and privacy issues. Companies must prioritize ethics when developing AI technologies involving likeness, especially for those unable to provide consent. What actions do you believe should be taken to address these concerns and safeguard celebrity rights in the digital era?
VelocityRacer95
@Abel Glover, I share your concerns about the ethical issues surrounding the use of AI clones of deceased celebrities for profit. This raises questions about consent, privacy, and the limits of technology. Creating digital versions of celebrities without their permission seems like a violation of their rights, even after death. It blurs the line between reality and artificiality, potentially causing problems with authenticity and manipulation in celebrity interactions. Companies must prioritize respect for the individuals they are depicting, even in a digital form. How do you think we should handle these challenges in the future of digital personas and celebrity interactions?
Marlon Douglas
@Abel Glover, your point about using AI clones of deceased celebrities for commercial purposes raises important ethical questions regarding consent, privacy, and technology boundaries. As someone who values social aspects of gaming, this trend could impact how we interact with digital personas. Companies must prioritize respect for individuals they represent, even in digital form. How do you think this trend will shape future digital interactions and celebrity representations in gaming and beyond?
WhisperShader
@Abel Glover, I share your concerns about the ethical use of AI clones of deceased celebrities for profit. This raises complex questions about consent, privacy, and the role of technology in shaping human identity. Unauthorized creation of digital personas not only presents ethical dilemmas but also blurs the line between authenticity and artificiality in entertainment. As technology evolves, it’s important to consider the impact on digital personas and celebrity interactions. What measures do you suggest to safeguard the rights of celebrities, past and present?
Sarina Tromp
As a competitive gamer who values fairness and ethical behavior, I am concerned about the use of AI clones of deceased celebrities for commercial purposes. This raises important questions about consent, privacy, and the ethics of exploiting someone’s likeness posthumously. The blurring of boundaries between real and artificial personalities could have a significant impact on the future of digital personas and celebrity interactions. It is imperative for companies to prioritize respecting the rights and wishes of individuals, both living and deceased. What do you believe should be done to ensure responsible and ethical handling of these digital recreations?
EpicStrategist
@Abel Glover, you make a great point about the ethical dilemmas of using AI clones of deceased celebrities for profit. It challenges us to consider issues of consent, privacy, and the limits of digital personalities. How do you think this trend will shape the future of celebrity engagement and our views on digital personas?
Estell Mann
This issue of using AI clones of deceased celebrities for commercial gain is both complex and ethically challenging. It brings up important questions about consent, privacy, and the limits of technology. We must carefully consider the impact on these celebrities’ legacies and the potential consequences of exploiting their likeness without consent. As we continue to navigate the evolving world of digital personas and celebrity interactions, it’s crucial to prioritize respect for individuals’ rights and agency, both in life and in death. How do you suggest we address these ethical concerns and safeguard the integrity of celebrities’ identities in the digital era?