Artificial intelligence has moved into the mainstream, and with the ability to recreate characters from the past, it was only a matter of time before someone suggested that William Shatner's Captain James T. Kirk be resurrected in AI form. It's one way to bring the captain back for flashbacks, and Shatner himself is okay with it...provided he's already gone.
When speaking with Comicbook about his upcoming appearances at at Mega-Con in Orlando on February 3rd and February 4th, Shatner said the strike was "all about getting permission to do that." And he's open to the idea, but the actor doesn't want to be recreated in AI as long as he is alive, though.
""It's an interesting question. The strike was all about getting permission to do that. And so if I'm alive, I don't want AI to do that, but if I'm dead and they ask my family and they're going to pay my family very well to sound like me, I would advise them to say yes.""William Shatner
Shatner recently had a conversation with an AI chatbot and has been very open about working with AI as you can see a version of him in AI form in the clip below starting at 0.44.
Shatner has worked with Storyfile, which is a multimedia platform that allows users to capture and preserve their image and life stories so they can discuss them with future generations. Essentially, Shatner will be able to talk to his great-great grandchildren long after he is gone. And the Emmy-winning actor has discussed using a 3D hologram on his gravestone as well.
Closing in on 93 years of age, Shatner recently completed a documentary, "You Can Call Me Bill," and had this to say about his reasons for making it now.
" "But I don't have long to live. Whether I keel over as I'm speaking to you or 10 years from now, my time is limited, so that's very much a factor. I've got grandchildren. This documentary is a way of reaching out after I die.""William Shatner
It's difficult to even think about a time when Shatner won't be alive. No one wants to imagine that moment, but Shatner is open about his life and future and is preparing the future line of Shatners for life without him...physically. By the use of AI, they'll be able to see and communicate with him as long as they want. And who better to embrace this technology than the former Captain Kirk?