Opinion
The legendary former It’s A Great Life star Jimmy Stewart, who has been lifeless since 1997, has been introduced again to life by synthetic intelligence (AI) to relate a bedtime story for Calm App.
AI Brings Stewart Again To Life
Selection reported that Stewart is narrating “It’s a Wonderful Sleep Story,” which Calm describes as “a heartwarming new holiday tale.” Stewart’s household and property that’s managed by CMG Worldwide gave consent for him for use within the app, which premiered yesterday and is on the market to subscribers of Calm Premium, one thing that prices $69.99 per 12 months.
“Well, hello. I’m James Stewart. But, well, you can call me Jimmy,” the AI-generated voice of Stewart will be heard saying at the start of the story. “Tonight, I’m going to tell you a story. It’s a heartwarming story of love, of loss, of hope and of joy. But most of all, it’s a wonderful sleep story.”
Kelly Stewart Harcourt, considered one of Stewart’s daughters, launched an announcement in assist of the app.
“We are excited for our dad to be the voice of Calm’s latest Sleep Story,” she stated. “It’s amazing what technology can do and wonderful to see Dad’s legacy live on this holiday season in new ways, like helping people find restful sleep and sweet dreams.”
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AI Recreate Stewart’s Voice
“Jimmy Stewart’s calming voice is one of the most iconic in movie history, and we’re thrilled to see it brought to the leading relaxation app on the market,” added Tina Xavie, chief advertising and marketing officer of CMG Worldwide. “Thanks to advanced technology, we all get the joy of hearing Jimmy’s unique voice again.”
To recreate Stewart’s voice, Calm teamed up with the AI voice-cloning startup Respeecher, which additionally recreated the voice of Mark Hamill’s voice of Luke Skywalker for “The Mandalorian” and James Earl Jones’ voice of Darth Vader for “Obi-Wan Kenobi” on Disney+. To recreate Stewart’s voice, Respeecher introduced in a male voice actor to say the strains and mimic the way in which the previous Rear Window star spoke.
“It was essential, like in all other projects, that the project was done according to high ethical standards and respect, which Respeecher has advocated for many years,” stated Alex Serdiuk, Respeecher CEO and co-founder. “James Stewart is one of the most remarkable actors in U.S. history. Recreating his voice with AI was both a huge responsibility and an honor for Respeecher. It was a way to pay tribute to his incredible career and all the good memories he left to people.”
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Stewart’s Demise
The New York Occasions reported that Stewart died on the age of 89 from a blood clot in his lung again in 1997.
”America misplaced a nationwide treasure at the moment,” then-President Invoice Clinton stated on the time. ”Jimmy Stewart was an awesome actor, a gentleman and a patriot.”
Many are uncomfortable with simply how far AI has come in recent times, with some saying that there are scary elements to its potential. What do you concentrate on AI getting used to permit Stewart to relate a brand new app 26 years after his loss of life? Tell us within the feedback part.
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