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By Kayla DeKraker
AI will be used to assist with a recreation of the late author Agatha Christie to portray her likeness for a writer’s course.
The course, led by the AI version of Christie, will be a part of BBC’s Maestro platform, which has partnered with the legendary author’s estate to create her likeness. Christie died in 1976, but her books and stories still live on today. She holds the title of the “best-selling novelist of all time.”
Actress Vivien Keene plays Christie in the videos, but, according to Deadline, her “her voice and appearance has been sharpened by artificial intelligence.”
Partners on the project said in a statement, “In a world first, Agatha Christie — best-selling novelist of all time — will be offering aspiring writers an unparalleled opportunity to learn the secrets behind her writing, in her own words.”
They explained, “Using meticulously restored archival interviews, private letters and writings researched by a team of Christie experts, this pioneering course reconstructs Christie’s own voice and insights, guiding you through the art of suspense, plot twists and unforgettable characters.”
Because AI is controversial, especially in its use portraying the deceased, CEO of BBC Studios Nicki Sheard affirmed that they are completing this project with “the utmost respect.”
“We’re really proud to showcase that we have done this in a way that we think deploys incredible care and craft, great thought and the utmost respect to all of the contributors,” she said.
She explained that the Christie project “is particularly special to us at BBC Studios because it embodies so many of the things that matter to us — backing the best in British storytelling and perhaps, in fact, the best British storyteller ever, meaningful innovation through the application of technology, and, of course, working with the most brilliant and best partners there are.”
In a world where AI can be used for exploitive and selfish reasons, Sheard explained that their motive is to respect and honor a great British storyteller: “Agatha Christie was an icon of British storytelling, and to be able to deploy this technology in a way that is ethical and thoughtful, to both honor her legacy and bring her genius to a new generation in a fresh and different way, is a great thing to be able to do,” she said.
Despite the creators treading carefully and getting consent from Christie’s family, some people are still unsettled by the AI rendering. BBC Maestro posted a sample of the course with Christie’s likeness talking and teaching how to write.
People in the comment section had mixed feelings. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to use AI-generated images of Agatha Christie. She’s no longer here to give her consent, and recreating her likeness without permission feels ethically questionable,” one user said. Another person added, “Love the voice but not the AI. I think she has to give her consent and since she is no longer with us in this world, that’s not okay. My take.”
Although the feelings are not entirely positive, that doesn’t change the fact that Christie’s legacy lives on, with or without AI.
Biography.com explained, “Dubbed the ‘Queen of Mystery,’ Agatha Christie was an author and playwright known for books such as Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile, as well as characters like Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple.” She wrote over 70 detective novels and short stories.
What do you think? Can AI be used to portray the likeness of a deceased person in a respectful way?
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