The editor of Downcodes takes you through an amazing technology: artificial intelligence technology has "resurrected" the voice of the late legendary rock singer Jerry Garcia. Artificial intelligence development company ElevenLabs has partnered with the Garcia family to launch an app called ElevenReader that allows users to listen to Garcia read emails, books and other texts in his signature voice. This not only brings a new way of remembrance for fans, but also revolutionizes the reading experience.
Although Jerry Garcia passed away in 1995, his voice has been resurrected through artificial intelligence technology. Recently, artificial intelligence development company ElevenLabs reached a cooperation with the Garcia family to bring the voice of the legendary rock band "Dead Head" back into the public eye. The new app, called ElevenReader, is designed to allow users to read emails, books and various text content through Garcia's voice.
The ElevenReader app is a combined e-reader and audiobook streaming platform where users can hear the voices of historical figures, including Garcia. In addition to Jerry Garcia, the app also includes the voices of famous figures such as James Dean, Judy Garland, John Wayne and Burt Reynolds, forming a novel immersive reading experience.
Regarding this technology, historian Dennis McNally, who once served as publicist for "Dead Head", said that he has heard Garcia's voice reproduced by AI, and it is indeed very similar. "I can't imagine how he would feel about it," he said. McNally is the author of "The Long Wonderful Journey: An Inside History of the Dead Heads" and the author of "Jerry's Jerry: The Unpublished Editor of "The Jerry Garcia Interview".
ElevenLabs also notes that the ElevenReader app can also be helpful for people with visual impairments or learning disabilities. As technology continues to advance, more and more companies are working on creating realistic AI sounds. Last year, the game company CD Projekt Red collaborated with Respeecher, a Ukrainian voice AI tool development company, to recreate the voice of the late Polish actor.
However, mental health experts have expressed concerns about AI conversations with historical figures, arguing it could lead to users having unrealistic expectations for real-life relationships. Sandra Kushnir, CEO of Meridian Consulting in California, pointed out that relying on AI for social interaction may weaken an individual's social ability and may lead to avoidance of real interpersonal relationships.
Dustin Blanc, head of partnerships at ElevenLabs, emphasized that the purpose of reproducing Garcia's voice is to enhance the user's reading and listening experience, rather than replacing the real Jerry Garcia with AI. He says the technology is a recreation of Garcia's voice, not a replacement for him.
The discussion this technology has triggered is not only about the breakthrough of the technology itself, but also about its potential impact on society and interpersonal relationships. In the future, how the combination of artificial intelligence technology and cultural heritage will develop deserves our continued attention. The editor of Downcodes will continue to bring you cutting-edge reports on science and technology.