Agatha Christie may have died decades ago, but her literary legacy continues to live on – now in an innovative format. The iconic British novelist has resurfaced as a digital avatar, teaching a writing class through BBC Maestro, an online educational platform akin to MasterClass. This intriguing venture, utilizing artificial intelligence technology to recreate her persona, is priced at £79 (roughly $105).
In this unique course, the iconic voice of Christie emerges through a sleek, AI-fueled digital representation, crafted with permission from her estate. This initiative was made possible by a team of scholars who assembled a script compiled from Christie's writings and archival interviews, performed by a real actor, Vivien Keene, to embody her presence accurately.
Michael Levine, the BBC Maestro CEO, emphasized that the venture is not about reviving Christie but rather presenting her in an educational capacity. He said, "We are not trying to pretend, in any way, that this is Agatha somehow brought to life. This is just a representation of Agatha to teach her own craft."
The course fulfills its launch amidst worldwide discourse concerning the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in creative sectors. In the UK, pending changes to copyright laws have caused unease among artists, concerned about unauthorized exploitation of their intellectual work to train AI models. However, in this instance, there is no copyright infringement to be worried about, as Christie’s family is fully supportive of the project.
James Prichard, Christie’s great-grandson and head of Agatha Christie Ltd, highlighted their dedication to authenticity, ensuring that "it had to be her words" and that her image and voice remained true to her real character. This innovative course provides a new, interactive method for aspiring writers to learn from one of the greatest storytellers in history, as technology blurs the lines between past and present.
