Mark Wahlberg's digital twin plan

Mark Wahlberg has announced plans to create a digital twin of himself, allowing his children to generate videos of him after his death if there is public demand. This move reflects growing interest in using artificial intelligence to preserve and replicate human presence in digital formats.

AI in Hollywood's evolving role

Hollywood is currently navigating the integration of artificial intelligence into its production processes. Wahlberg supports AI that enhances human performance rather than replacing it, emphasizing that he does not believe AI should be used to generate scripts or replace real actors entirely.

AI's existing applications in film

The use of AI in film has already been implemented in several productions. For example, Harrison Ford's appearance in the latest Indiana Jones film involved digital rejuvenation, while Val Kilmer's role in As Deep as Grave and a younger Carrie Fisher in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story were achieved through digital reconstruction.

Industry initiatives and collaborations

The talent agency CAA Vault has recognized the potential of AI in film and has encouraged its actors to create digital doubles by scanning their faces, movements, and voices. Additionally, the British startup ElevenLabs has partnered with actors Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine to clone and license their voices for use in AI projects.

Industry opposition and concerns

The largest union of actors in the United States has opposed the replacement of human actors with synthetic ones. In France, 4,000 actors and filmmakers signed a petition criticizing AI use as a form of "plunder." There is also controversy around voice dubbing, with some actors resisting contracts that allow their voices to be used for AI training.

Regulatory and political challenges

Clear regulations and political support for the use of AI in the film industry remain pending. The debate continues over how to balance technological innovation with the rights and roles of human actors.