Alan Hamel, a renowned Canadian entertainer and television host, has disclosed that he has developed an AI clone of his late wife, actress Suzanne Somers, who succumbed to breast cancer at the age of 76 in 2023. In an interview with People, Hamel expressed, “Obviously, Suzanne was greatly loved, not only by her family, but by millions of people.” He revealed that one of their upcoming projects is titled the “Suzanne AI Twin.”
The 89-year-old producer stated that this AI representation of his partner, with whom he spent 55 years, is so lifelike that it is hard to tell the difference between the two. The Suzanne AI Twin was reportedly created using data from “hundreds of interviews,” as well as from Somers” extensive collection of 27 books. “It was Suzanne,” Hamel remarked. “And I asked her a few questions and she answered them, and it blew me and everybody else away. When you look at the finished one next to the real Suzanne, you can”t tell the difference.” He further noted, “I really can”t tell which one is the real and which one is the AI.”
Interestingly, the AI clone was designed to provide health advice, which Hamel claims has been verified by medical professionals. Given the potential for AI to misrepresent facts, the public will have to take Hamel”s word that AI Somers will not disseminate misleading information or promote health products currently available on SuzanneSomers.com, where the AI will ultimately be hosted.
This innovation highlights a growing trend of using advanced technology to “resurrect” deceased individuals through AI. Tech firms have been exploring this concept for several years, even offering virtual seances powered by AI. Notably, a UK startup previously enabled an AI representation of a deceased woman to “attend” her own funeral back in 2022, prior to the release of OpenAI”s ChatGPT.
The rationale behind Hamel”s decision to create this AI clone remains somewhat puzzling. Is it a genuine affection for this digital version of his wife, or a refusal to accept her passing? Is he attempting to continue her legacy in promoting beauty products on her website? According to Hamel, the idea originated with Somers herself. He mentioned that they were inspired by futurist and computer scientist Ray Kurzweil, a friend of theirs for over three decades. “We knew it was coming,” he said, presumably alluding to the capability of AI to replicate human likenesses. “It took decades to happen, but knew it was going to happen, and he shared that information with us.”
Hamel noted that Somers found the concept of an AI clone to be “very interesting” and believed it could serve her fans and readers seeking health information. “Fans can come and just hang out with her,” he stated. “They can ask her any questions they want. She”ll be available 24/7, and I think it”ll be really wonderful.”
In March, US Weekly reported that Hamel partnered with the humanoid robotics company Realbotix to develop a “digital twin,” suggesting he might have also interacted with a robotic incarnation of Somers. An image released by the publication at that time displayed a robot that bore little resemblance to Somers, indicating that the company might be working on a different robotic model yet to be revealed.
