Marilyn Monroe, who died 62 years ago, has been reincarnated as a “hyper-real” AI-generated digital avatar that lets fans engage in a conversation with the late actor — who can answer questions “in Marilyn’s signature voice and style,” according the company behind the project.
AI technology firm Soul Machines unveiled Digital Marilyn, an interactive experience in which she “shares anecdotes and even delivers personalized greetings, creating an unforgettable experience for Marilyn fans.”
The AI-generated Digital Marilyn chatbot lets you interact “in real-time using advanced natural language processing, deep learning and GPT 3.5,” Soul Machines said in announcing the project Friday.
Digital Marilyn is able to read users’ emotions and respond accordingly via Soul Machine’s proprietary camera and microphone technology, the company said. “Every interaction is unique. Digital Marilyn analyzes your preferences and tailors her responses accordingly, fostering a genuine connection that resonates with you on an individual level,” according to Soul Machines, which says the average conversation length with its digital avatars is 20 minutes.
According to the company, Digital Marilyn’s AI capabilities enable her “to engage in natural, fluid dialogue, adapting to your questions and interests in real-time… Mimicking the human nervous system, this technology allows Digital Marilyn to respond with realistic emotions and nuanced expressions, creating a deeply personal and memorable experience.”
The Digital Marilyn project is the latest among other recent generative-AI initiatives involving dead celebrities. Those include an animated biopic of French singer Edith Piaf that will use AI to create a facsimile of her voice and image and the Calm app’s AI-generated voice of Jimmy Stewart reading a bedtime story.
Soul Machines is providing first look at Digital Marilyn at an invitation-only event at SXSW in Austin on Friday, March 8. The project is aimed at demonstrating “the transformative power of AI in connecting brands and consumers,” said Greg Cross, CEO and co-founder of Soul Machines.
“Digital Marilyn showcases our Biological AI, bringing an iconic personality to life through engaging dialogues and emotional intelligence,” Cross said in a statement. “It’s more than nostalgia; it’s a glimpse into the future of immersive interactions.”
The Marilyn Monroe generative-AI chatbot is produced 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 duplicated, Digital Marilyn opens exciting possibilities for multiple generations of fans to engage with her in a whole new way, fostering a deeper connection and appreciation for her enduring spirit and the mark she left on the world.”
Soul Machines has created other AI-based “digital celebrities,” including for 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 Sagar. Authentic Brands Group’s brand portfolio includes Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham, Dr. J, Greg Norman, Sports Illustrated and more.
