“An AI Stephen Hawking would look like him”: Holographic avatars of long-dead famous scientists could work with – or compete with – living university lecturers
It used to be that pop stars died or stopped performing and you could no longer see them live, but holographic technology has changed all that.
A growing number of deceased celebrities, from Tupac to Elvis, have been brought back to life as holograms, and the tech companies could also be revitalizing the education sector.
Loughborough University in Britain is a pioneer in the use of holographic technology, with plans to introduce holograms of renowned scientists, such as the late Stephen Hawking, into its curriculum by 2025.
AI Stephen Hawking
This revolutionary approach aims to engage students more effectively than traditional 2D presentations or video calls.
The university has been exploring the use of holography in various areas from sports science to fashion, and the technology, provided by LA-based company Proto, provides a more immersive and interactive learning experience.
Proto founder David Nussbaum explained that the technology could bring some of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century back to life in a realistic and engaging way.
He told the Guardian: “Proto has the technology to project an image of Stephen Hawking, or anyone, and make it look like he’s really there. We can link it to books, lectures, social media – everything he was attached to, every question, every interaction with him. An AI Stephen Hawking would look like him, look like him, and communicate with him as if it were him. It’s awe-inspiring, it’s breathtaking, I’m shocked at how amazing the interactions are. AI is part of our lives, whether people like it or not.”
Although there are legal hurdles to overcome, the technology’s AI capabilities could potentially create avatars that resemble anyone in the world – living or dead – and potentially usher in a new era of immersive learning.
Nussbaum’s vision extends beyond educational institutions, with plans to introduce affordable, smaller units for home use in the next 18 months. These units, which cost less than $1,000, will project a shrunken image that Nussbaum likens to “Wonkavision” from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.