Well said, Helen. I agree that using AI as a tool is a definite plus. I've used it myself in that capacity. Like you, I would find all the product tie-ins fun, but I draw the line at a robotic course instructor and publishing Didion's journals after death. That's a privacy line I just don't want to cross. I guess we will each be establishing our boundaries as time moves forward. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this touchy topic❣️
I agree, Helen. Ick indeed. So glad you signposted me to this article. Wow! It’s unbelievable the lengths people will go to. AI will encourage more of this. Surely at some point there will have to be laws and standards around internet use and technology. I do wonder if the brand is to honour her memory or to make money…. Her books are the legacy she left behind.
I imagine that Agatha is a spirit somewhere in the invisible realm and doesn't care one way or another about her privacy now! I appreciate that her family is comfortable with and has overseen the making of the show. However, if the AI representation of her on the Maestro tapes continues to be so mechanical as the preview is, it is distracting. I'd rather just have the audio myself.
Absolutely agree with you Helen. I also watched a few minutes of the class and thought, I rather engage with a real life person who would have taken a deep interest in the subject and told or written all about it to me.
I rather keep the past figures or ghosts as an imagination and romantic mystery in my head.
I look forward to any other writers or recommended books that you have read and researched about.
This also gave me a visceral ‘ick’ feeling. Ms Christie was, as you say, intensely private. What next? Will they resurrect Ms Austen and the Brontë clan? All very private women who would have balked at the very idea of their faces and voices being resurrected. I think the reference to Frankenstein-ing is very apt. Nothing is allowed to die with dignity anymore.
I was not aware of this new class and it makes me incredibly uncomfortable. I have recently watched a documentary on Netflix about the manager of the Backstreet Boys and other boybands who was a criminal and had stolen a lot of money and, while the whole thing was interesting, the story was told by the man himself. The problem is that he died ten years ago and the younger version of himself was brought to life via AI to mimic a '90s videotape since that was the period when boybands emerged. Even if he was a criminal, I found it very disturbing. I just hope nobody will ever do something like that with Professor Tolkien.
I completely agree. A different example is Joan Didion’s letters to her husband that have been made into a book. On the one hand, I love reading about people’s processes and notebooks, but I’ve often wondered: where is the line? At what point is this just stolen, non-consented information, regardless of whether the person is no longer alive.
I watched the "Making of" video..... it's really quite fascinating, especially with the level of attention to the actor who played her and voiced the script. (I didn't expect that, simply seeing that it was "made with AI.") The actor does mention the cadence of Christie's speech, and I wonder if that was part of what you really felt distancing -- but maybe was true to her? I'm not an Agatha Christie reader, and I really appreciate your comments on her privacy and reluctance to be a public persona. I'm not sure simply the presence of this class violates that -- it might depend on the script. I would certainly be curious about that. When I first started reading, I assumed they had written the script with AI (fed in all her writings and generated a course), but it doesn't necessarily sound like it. Interesting post and issue.
Oh I agree, Amy. I found the video fascinating too and I was really hoping it would work until I ‘felt’ the finished result. I believe the course was researched and scripted by Mark Aldridge (I have his Poirot book and love it) so no AI involved in any other aspects - just Agatha herself.
I signed up for Masterclass a while ago. I doubt they would accept an AI character, even simulating a known one, teaching a course. It's strange to see this. But I would like to get an idea of its content, since its also AI.
I’m sure Masterclass are watching what’s happening with interest! I read somewhere that Agatha is a ‘test case’ an experiment to see people’s reactions and whether it’s wise to invest in others.
I love her books. It would be interesting to see what’s that course bringing. But if this works, then, you’ll have others such as Jane Austen, for example. Kind of awesome!.
Great piece, Helen. You wrote everything I wanted to on the matter, the only thing I also wanted to add to my piece was the fact that i received an alert last week from The Bookseller saying that audible was now going to be creating audiobooks using AI narration, and perhaps this means that an author goes into a booth and makes lots of different sounds and then they create her reading the book, or it may mean that a robot will read it, and for me, both of those options are lacking heart and I don't want it in the same way that looking at AI created images makes me feel sick.
Agree, and I wrote about the effects of airing every private traumatic morsel online a couple of weeks ago in, “Dupe-licated”. I believe where there’s money to be made, the machine is unstoppable. And by machine that unfortunately means benefiting humans too. Until people realise they need to retain some privacy, all info is now profit. Souls are energy, and they live on. So I don’t doubt for a moment your felt resistance to being in her space and I salute you for pivoting. The only way this will stop is if people stop rewarding the immoral exposure by purchasing.
I’m teaching my primary age boys to utilise ai for their gain; to develop and maintain their intelligence not replace it, because it’s already being pushed in NZ schools. I’m not against it per se, but the ‘shadow side’ needs the faith you refer to.
I so agree with you! I adore Agatha but just reading her autobiography you can see how private she was. And Joan Didion’s notes from her sessions with her psychiatrist? No. No. No! I personally don’t read Sophie Hannah’s books with Hercule Poirot. I tried a few and they just felt … wrong. But I know a lot of people do and that’s great. Agatha’s grandson (great grandson?) said at the time that it was introducing Agatha Christie to a new audience. I assume this AI version is the same? But I think it’s a step too far.
Yes the Joan Didion one felt super intrusive. I tried a Sophie Hannah book but didn’t gel with it. Personally I just love it when they do new pretty hardbacks to collect. That’s enough for me!
I’m listening to the All About Agatha Christie podcast - the episode with Dr Mark Aldridge who has written a few books about Agatha and was very involved in the research process with the course. Very interesting!
I agree with your sentiments on this also. Sadly her legacy has been branded now and it's all about generating income. This has happened to a lot of writers after their deaths with families wishing to continue their 'legacy'. Virginia Andrews is one example where her notes on ideas for new stories have been turned into new novels to continue her work, but is it really her work? I'm not so sure. I think what I'm trying to say here is ethically where do we draw the line? The line between honouring someone's work and taking advantage of it - AI feels more and more like taking advantage.
You make a good point. Plus of course, when authors continue their work like Sophie Hannah has done with Poirot. It seems the line is being pushed and pushed.
This is really interesting and I absolutely agree with your sentiments on this. Really feels like this would give Agatha the ick too! I’ve been feeling very uncomfortable about the Joan Didion work, but this feels next level.
I think you made the best point when you talked about how intensely private she was, and the comments her characters made about the business of writing.
It made me wonder about legacies though - the person now in charge of her image, and brand said yes to that. I know in 1976 we probably weren't thinking about AI but some thoughtfulness on her stances on these things makes me think she would have declined graciously.
I have had this "body" response to AI created things lately too, and it's a great ruler, I think.
I'm not sure but it's an interesting rabbit hole. In talking with a lot of 70 year old women lately who are writers, they all talk about this oeuvre - their body of work and what happens to it when they pass on. We all create A LOT - notebooks, sketches, life clutter - and I have been called to help sort more than once. I try to step lightly.
Well said, Helen. I agree that using AI as a tool is a definite plus. I've used it myself in that capacity. Like you, I would find all the product tie-ins fun, but I draw the line at a robotic course instructor and publishing Didion's journals after death. That's a privacy line I just don't want to cross. I guess we will each be establishing our boundaries as time moves forward. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this touchy topic❣️
I agree, Helen. Ick indeed. So glad you signposted me to this article. Wow! It’s unbelievable the lengths people will go to. AI will encourage more of this. Surely at some point there will have to be laws and standards around internet use and technology. I do wonder if the brand is to honour her memory or to make money…. Her books are the legacy she left behind.
I imagine that Agatha is a spirit somewhere in the invisible realm and doesn't care one way or another about her privacy now! I appreciate that her family is comfortable with and has overseen the making of the show. However, if the AI representation of her on the Maestro tapes continues to be so mechanical as the preview is, it is distracting. I'd rather just have the audio myself.
Absolutely agree with you Helen. I also watched a few minutes of the class and thought, I rather engage with a real life person who would have taken a deep interest in the subject and told or written all about it to me.
I rather keep the past figures or ghosts as an imagination and romantic mystery in my head.
I look forward to any other writers or recommended books that you have read and researched about.
This also gave me a visceral ‘ick’ feeling. Ms Christie was, as you say, intensely private. What next? Will they resurrect Ms Austen and the Brontë clan? All very private women who would have balked at the very idea of their faces and voices being resurrected. I think the reference to Frankenstein-ing is very apt. Nothing is allowed to die with dignity anymore.
I was not aware of this new class and it makes me incredibly uncomfortable. I have recently watched a documentary on Netflix about the manager of the Backstreet Boys and other boybands who was a criminal and had stolen a lot of money and, while the whole thing was interesting, the story was told by the man himself. The problem is that he died ten years ago and the younger version of himself was brought to life via AI to mimic a '90s videotape since that was the period when boybands emerged. Even if he was a criminal, I found it very disturbing. I just hope nobody will ever do something like that with Professor Tolkien.
Noooo! I wasn’t aware of this! How bizarre.
I completely agree. A different example is Joan Didion’s letters to her husband that have been made into a book. On the one hand, I love reading about people’s processes and notebooks, but I’ve often wondered: where is the line? At what point is this just stolen, non-consented information, regardless of whether the person is no longer alive.
Yes, Joan Didion’s book is definitely up there under the category of ‘ethical concerns’!
I watched the "Making of" video..... it's really quite fascinating, especially with the level of attention to the actor who played her and voiced the script. (I didn't expect that, simply seeing that it was "made with AI.") The actor does mention the cadence of Christie's speech, and I wonder if that was part of what you really felt distancing -- but maybe was true to her? I'm not an Agatha Christie reader, and I really appreciate your comments on her privacy and reluctance to be a public persona. I'm not sure simply the presence of this class violates that -- it might depend on the script. I would certainly be curious about that. When I first started reading, I assumed they had written the script with AI (fed in all her writings and generated a course), but it doesn't necessarily sound like it. Interesting post and issue.
Oh I agree, Amy. I found the video fascinating too and I was really hoping it would work until I ‘felt’ the finished result. I believe the course was researched and scripted by Mark Aldridge (I have his Poirot book and love it) so no AI involved in any other aspects - just Agatha herself.
(And I realize this is an outlier comment!)
I signed up for Masterclass a while ago. I doubt they would accept an AI character, even simulating a known one, teaching a course. It's strange to see this. But I would like to get an idea of its content, since its also AI.
I’m sure Masterclass are watching what’s happening with interest! I read somewhere that Agatha is a ‘test case’ an experiment to see people’s reactions and whether it’s wise to invest in others.
I love her books. It would be interesting to see what’s that course bringing. But if this works, then, you’ll have others such as Jane Austen, for example. Kind of awesome!.
Great piece, Helen. You wrote everything I wanted to on the matter, the only thing I also wanted to add to my piece was the fact that i received an alert last week from The Bookseller saying that audible was now going to be creating audiobooks using AI narration, and perhaps this means that an author goes into a booth and makes lots of different sounds and then they create her reading the book, or it may mean that a robot will read it, and for me, both of those options are lacking heart and I don't want it in the same way that looking at AI created images makes me feel sick.
Oh yes, I saw that too. It’s another awful development. And that’s exactly what was missing from Christie’s course. Heart.
Agree, and I wrote about the effects of airing every private traumatic morsel online a couple of weeks ago in, “Dupe-licated”. I believe where there’s money to be made, the machine is unstoppable. And by machine that unfortunately means benefiting humans too. Until people realise they need to retain some privacy, all info is now profit. Souls are energy, and they live on. So I don’t doubt for a moment your felt resistance to being in her space and I salute you for pivoting. The only way this will stop is if people stop rewarding the immoral exposure by purchasing.
The whole thing feels quite depressing in so many ways. But I do have faith in human nature.
I’m teaching my primary age boys to utilise ai for their gain; to develop and maintain their intelligence not replace it, because it’s already being pushed in NZ schools. I’m not against it per se, but the ‘shadow side’ needs the faith you refer to.
I so agree with you! I adore Agatha but just reading her autobiography you can see how private she was. And Joan Didion’s notes from her sessions with her psychiatrist? No. No. No! I personally don’t read Sophie Hannah’s books with Hercule Poirot. I tried a few and they just felt … wrong. But I know a lot of people do and that’s great. Agatha’s grandson (great grandson?) said at the time that it was introducing Agatha Christie to a new audience. I assume this AI version is the same? But I think it’s a step too far.
Yes the Joan Didion one felt super intrusive. I tried a Sophie Hannah book but didn’t gel with it. Personally I just love it when they do new pretty hardbacks to collect. That’s enough for me!
I’m listening to the All About Agatha Christie podcast - the episode with Dr Mark Aldridge who has written a few books about Agatha and was very involved in the research process with the course. Very interesting!
I agree with your sentiments on this also. Sadly her legacy has been branded now and it's all about generating income. This has happened to a lot of writers after their deaths with families wishing to continue their 'legacy'. Virginia Andrews is one example where her notes on ideas for new stories have been turned into new novels to continue her work, but is it really her work? I'm not so sure. I think what I'm trying to say here is ethically where do we draw the line? The line between honouring someone's work and taking advantage of it - AI feels more and more like taking advantage.
You make a good point. Plus of course, when authors continue their work like Sophie Hannah has done with Poirot. It seems the line is being pushed and pushed.
This is really interesting and I absolutely agree with your sentiments on this. Really feels like this would give Agatha the ick too! I’ve been feeling very uncomfortable about the Joan Didion work, but this feels next level.
Thanks Claire. I wonder how she’d feel about the word ‘ick’ as well 🤣
She’d love it! 🤣
I think you made the best point when you talked about how intensely private she was, and the comments her characters made about the business of writing.
It made me wonder about legacies though - the person now in charge of her image, and brand said yes to that. I know in 1976 we probably weren't thinking about AI but some thoughtfulness on her stances on these things makes me think she would have declined graciously.
I have had this "body" response to AI created things lately too, and it's a great ruler, I think.
I was talking about this earlier - I think authors will have to address this in legal documents before they die, maybe? If that's a thing!
I'm not sure but it's an interesting rabbit hole. In talking with a lot of 70 year old women lately who are writers, they all talk about this oeuvre - their body of work and what happens to it when they pass on. We all create A LOT - notebooks, sketches, life clutter - and I have been called to help sort more than once. I try to step lightly.
Oh wow. Yes, I think my daughter will get that job. I did tell her to burn everything but she wants to keep it!
Why do people feel the need to do these things? Shame on her grandson for signing off on AI slop.
Yes, I wondered what possessed him, too.
Most likely the simple answer is money.