Hey, have you caught wind of the bustling chatter about exploiting celebs’ digital twins without their okay? It’s been a hot topic, and not in a good way. Imagine your face, your voice, out there, being used without so much as a heads-up. Pretty unsettling, right? Zelda Williams, the powerhouse behind the director’s chair for *Lisa Frankenstein* and daughter of the legendary Robin Williams, raised her voice against this eerie trend. She’s not alone in feeling this way, especially as actors and other celebs fight tooth and nail for protections against the potential misuse of their AI clones.
Yet, despite the moral red flags waving furiously, some companies can’t seem to resist the lure. Enter stage left: Soul Machines’ latest unveiling — **[Digital Marilyn](https://www.soulmachines.com/digital-marilyn-monroe-notification)**. Yes, you read that right. An AI chatbot that mirrors Marilyn Monroe in all her iconic glory, showcased at SXSW, thanks to a collab with Authentic Brands Group.
This isn’t just any chatbot. We’re talking about a “hyper-real” bot, juiced up with GPT 3.5, capable of dishing out conversations filled with emotional depth and nuanced expressions, or so Soul Machines claims in a press release. Picture having a 20-minute banter with none other than the digital ghost of Marilyn herself.
>[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.](https://soulmachines.medium.com/digital-marilyn-stepping-into-the-ai-spotlight-with-the-magic-of-biological-ai-15778d8492ed)
Soul Machines sees this as giving fans a chance to have a personal, one-on-one connection they’ve been yearning for — a 24/7 open line to their favorite icons. But it gets you thinking, doesn’t it? While live celebs like Mark Tuan and Carmelo Anthony can shout a “Yes” or “No” to their digital doppelgängers, legends like Marilyn can’t exactly weigh in.
And choosing International Women’s Day to launch an Instagram reel of Digital Marilyn? It’s a move that’s raised more than a few eyebrows. Celebrating women’s achievements and struggles through history… by leveraging the image of a woman who can’t consent to her likeness being used? That’s a conversation starter, alright.
The whole idea of digital celebrities opens up a can of worms regarding ethics, consent, and the future of personal identity. It’s a brave new world we’re stepping into, with incredible tech at our fingertips. But it begs the question: Just because we *can*, does that always mean we *should*? What do you think?
