A new podcast will be hosted by an AI-replicated Sir Michael Parkinson, who will do fully unscripted interviews with celebrities.
Deep Fusion Films produced Virtually Parkinson, a world-first podcast, with support from Parkinson’s family and estate.
Known for his interviews with the world’s finest entertainers, Parkinson died last year at the age of 88, following a brief illness.
The eight-part show will employ AI technology to mimic the late presenter’s voice and interview style, based on over 2,000 interviews.
The “Squark” technology, which incorporates AI capabilities, allows live individuals to communicate with voices from the past.
Parkinson’s son, Mike Parkinson, approached the firm with the idea of making the podcast, calling it “a tribute to my dad,” as a way to preserve his father’s memory.
He stated, “I want audiences to marvel at the technology, the cleverness, and cheekiness of the concept, but most importantly, I want them to remember how good he was at interviewing and enjoy the nostalgia and happy memories.”
“Through this platform, his legacy can continue, entertaining a new generation of fans.”
Deep Fusion Films co-founder Jamie Anderson described Parkinson’s son’s reaction to hearing his late father’s voice as “something really special,” and those who heard the AI replication were “wowed” by its accuracy and tenderness.
The company has grown to accommodate the initiative, adding a new head of creative AI, an AI prompt engineer, researchers, guest bookers, podcast producers, and a sound engineer.
Concerns about the industry’s expanding use of AI were one of the driving forces behind the US actors and writers’ strike last year, which nearly brought Hollywood to a standstill.
Stop AI Stealing The UK acting union Equity launched the “The Show” campaign in 2022.
Performers’ livelihoods and reputations are in jeopardy due to emerging technology, including fakes that are mistaken for the genuine thing.
Regarding the project’s ethics, Deep Fusion Films states that it is “openly showcasing the AI aspect” and that the podcast will be presented by AI from the outset.
It will also include a post-interview debrief with the interviewee about their experience speaking with an AI.
Guests are yet to be confirmed, but they are believed to include “notable people from a variety of spheres” such as film and television, music, and politics.
Parkinson was born into a mining family in Barnsley and has hosted over 600 episodes and 2,000 interviews for the BBC, ITV, and Sky.
He interviewed celebrities such as John Wayne, Fred Astaire, John Lennon, Tom Cruise, Madonna, and the Beckhams. He also had a tense conversation with Hollywood actress Meg Ryan.
Virtually Parkinson will be available on the official Michael Parkinson YouTube account later this year, along with a curated collection of archival film.