Regular readers of the news section of PCguide may know that Artificial Intelligence creeps me out a bit. At the same time, I am a massive sci-fi nerd so everything is probably linked to the fact that sci-fi tells me what the end game of all this nonsense will be – human obliteration.
We covered a few weeks back about how Microsoft was sacking a load of journalists and replacing them with AI. We then further covered the story in how the AI accidentally posted a story that was potentially a bit racist – or at least it’s incorrect choice of imagery was.
So, now today we bring you news of a new film that has been financed to the tune of $70 million dollars by Bondit Capital Media who financed the Oscar-nominated Loving Vincent, alongside Happy Moon Productions and New York’s Ten Ten Global Media.
No big deal so far, but here’s the kicker – the movie will be the first to rely on an artificially intelligent actor. Yep, robo-actors incoming folks.
The movie, b, will feature in its lead role ‘Erica’, who was created by Japanese Scientists Hiroshi Ishiguro and Kohei Ogawa as part of their study into robotics, but also, as you do, taught her to act, applying principles of method acting to the AI.
Hey, I’m just the messenger here.
Writer Sam Khoze said: “In other methods of acting, actors involve their own life experiences in the role, but Erica has no life experiences. She was created from scratch to play the role. We had to simulate her motions and emotions through one-on-one sessions, such as controlling the speed of her movements, talking through her feelings, and coaching character development and body language.”
Erica was originally due to star in a different project directed by Tony Kaye (American History X), but that ran into scheduling issues so she moved onto b.
Erica’s human co-star has not been cast yet but the movie is expected to be completed in Europe in 2021.Scary times for actors, but this is going to be something worth seeing!
