William Shatner boldly goes where no one has gone before! Star Trek actor celebrates 90th birthday by creating AI version of himself to ‘preserve his memory and legacy for future generations’
- Mr. Shatner, who is 90 today, will be the first to be included on StoryFile Life
- The advanced video system allows people to ask ‘him’ questions about his life
- His StoryFile talk will be available for viewing on devices starting in May
- Shatner is known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise
Star Trek’s William Shatner creates an AI-powered version of himself to “preserve his memory and legacy for future generations.”
The actor will become the first person to have his life story captured by Los Angeles-based StoryFile’s interactive AI-powered video technology.
The system allows you to interact directly with the recording and ask questions about Mr. Shatner’s work and personal experiences, even after the man himself is gone.
Today’s announcement coincides with Mr. Shatner’s 90th birthday, and his StoryFile talk will be available for viewing on devices starting May.
Shatner is famous for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise, in addition to starring roles in the police drama TJ Hooker and the drama Boston Legal.
Star Trek’s William Shatner creates an AI-powered version of himself to “ preserve his memory and legacy for future generations. ” Pictured: Mr. Shatner records his StoryFile Life conversation for posterity at the company’s Los Angeles studio
The actor will be the first person to be captured by Los Angeles-based StoryFile’s interactive AI-driven video technology. Pictured: William Shatner (right) and Leonard Nimoy (left) as Captain James Kirk and Mr Spock in the Star Trek episode Plato’s Stepchildren
“I have a story to tell,” said Mr. Shatner.
Imagine capturing yourself in a way that future generations, hundreds of years from now, could talk to you – and you could talk back. That is possible.
‘With StoryFile we can now be present in the future. Your authentic self, forever.
‘This is for all my children and all my children’s children and all the loved ones of my children and all the loved ones of the loved ones.
“That’s my gift to you through time,” he concluded.
“William Shatner is going where no one has gone before,” said Heather Maio-Smith, StoryFile co-founder and CEO.
Generations in the future will be able to talk to him. Not an avatar, not a deep fake, but with the real William Shatner answering their questions about his life and work, ”she continued.
“This changes the trajectory of the future – from how we experience life today, and how we share those lessons and stories for future generations.”
Imagine capturing yourself in a way that future generations, hundreds of years from now, could talk to you – and you could talk back. That’s possible, ‘said Mr. Shatner, in the picture,
Shatner is famous for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise, in addition to starring roles in the police drama TJ Hooker and the drama Boston Legal. Pictured: William Shatner reprises his role as Captain Kirk (center) with co-stars Walter Koenig (left) and James Doohan (right) in the 1994 film Star Trek: Generations
“We believe every person’s story matters,” said Stephen Smith, StoryFile co-founder.
“Who better to show the world how StoryFile Life works than a man who knows the world because he stretches our imaginations about the future and life in this universe and beyond.”
‘A man who has always generously shared the highs and lows with us and who has mastered the art of storytelling.’
Visitors to the StoryFile website can sign up to be notified when William Shatner’s conversation is live and ready to interact with.
HOW SOON WE CAN UPLOAD OUR OPINIONS TO A COMPUTER?
Brain and memory preservation has been extensively researched by futurists, scientists and science fiction junkies alike.
Many say it falls under the category of ‘transhumanism’.
Transhumanism is the belief that the human body can evolve beyond its current form with the help of scientists and technology.
The practice of mind uploading is promoted by many people, including Ray Kurzweil, Google’s technical director, who believes that by 2045 we can upload our entire brain to computers.
Similar technologies have been portrayed in science fiction dramas ranging from Netflix’s Altered Carbon to the hit Black Mirror series.
Another prominent futurist, Dr. Michio Kaku, believes that virtual reality can be used to keep the personalities and memories of our loved ones alive, even after they die.
Scientists and futurists have various theories of how we could preserve the human brain, ranging from uploading our memories to a computer to Nectome’s high-tech embalming process, which can keep it intact for thousands of years.
“ Imagine being able to talk to your loved one after they die … it’s possible if their personality has been downloaded onto a computer as an avatar, ” he explained.
These ideas have not been answered without criticism.
McGill University neuroscientist Michael Hendricks told MIT these technologies are a “joke.”
‘I hope future people are shocked that in the 21st century, the richest and most comfortable people in history have spent their money and resources living forever on the backs of their descendants. I mean it’s a joke, right? They are cartoon bad guys, ”he said.
Meanwhile, neuroscientist Miguel Nicolelis recently said such technologies would be next to impossible.
“The brain is incalculable and no technique can reproduce it,” he said.
“You can have all the computer chips in the world and you are not creating consciousness.”