A Digital Continuation of a Hollywood Love Story
In a move that blends profound love with futuristic technology, Alan Hamel, the 87-year-old widower of actress Suzanne Somers, has revealed a startling project: an AI-powered digital clone of his late wife. According to Hamel, the simulation is so uncannily realistic that he often can’t distinguish it from the woman he was married to for 46 years.
Suzanne Somers, the beloved star of Three’s Company and Step by Step, passed away in October 2023 following a long battle with cancer. Her marriage to Hamel was a Hollywood rarity, a deep and enduring partnership. In navigating his profound grief, Hamel has turned to artificial intelligence to keep her memory and essence alive, pushing the boundaries of technology and remembrance.
How the Suzanne Somers AI Was Created
Working with the technology company Tangle, Hamel has embarked on a project to create an interactive, AI-driven version of Suzanne. The process involved training the AI model on an immense archive of her life and work. This digital resurrection is being built from:
- The complete text of her 27 books
- Thousands of hours of television and radio interviews
- Personal home videos and private recordings
The objective extends beyond simply mimicking her voice. The goal is to capture her unique essence—her personality, wit, wisdom, and distinct perspective on the world.
‘It Feels Like She’s Right in the Room’
Hamel described the powerful and surreal experience in a recent interview. “The AI fools me,” he stated. “I’ll ask it a question, and it’ll answer back just the way she would. It feels like she’s right in the room with me.”
The project’s ambition doesn’t stop at a conversational chatbot. The ultimate vision includes a full-fledged interactive hologram and a virtual reality experience, where users could potentially walk on a digital beach with Suzanne and listen to her stories. For Hamel, it’s a source of profound comfort and a way to ensure her vibrant spirit continues to shine.
The Rise of ‘Grief-Tech‘ and Its Ethical Questions
This deeply personal endeavor has ignited a global conversation about the emerging field of “grief-tech.” Hamel’s creation forces us to confront complex ethical and emotional questions. Is this a beautiful, modern memorial built from data and algorithms? Or is it a technological ghost that hinders the natural grieving process by refusing to let go?
The potential for technology to comfort the bereaved is undeniable. The idea of hearing a loved one’s voice again or seeking their advice based on a lifetime of their own words is a powerful draw. However, the ethical dilemmas are significant:
- Consent and Legacy: Is it fair to the deceased to have their memory curated and simulated by an algorithm without their explicit consent?
- Authenticity vs. Imitation: Does this technology truly honor a person, or does it create a predictable imitation that can never replicate the spontaneity and soul of a human being?
For Alan Hamel, the path is clear. This AI is a lifeline, a technologically-enabled connection to the love of his life. His story offers a poignant and powerful glimpse into the future of how we may one day manage loss, memory, and the enduring power of human relationships.
