Michael Parkinson’s son defends new podcast about artificial intelligence

Sir Michael Parkinson’s son has defended the use of artificial intelligence to recreate the late chat host’s voice for a new interview podcast series.

Virtually Parkinson was produced by Deep Fusion Films with support from Sir Michael’s family and estate.

The eight-episode series will feature Barnsley-born broadcaster, who died last year at the age of 88, interact with a range of new guests.

In today’s interview with BBC Radio 4 entitled his son Mike Parkinson said he told producers he “really wanted to make it clear (to listeners) that this is an iteration of artificial intelligence.”

However, the podcast’s launch comes at a time when the use of artificial intelligence in the creative arts is hotly debated, with many arguing that it should be used carefully and ethically, if at all.

Many broadcasters and film actors are concerned about the risks AI poses to their livelihoods, as well as the complications of the public confusing AI with a real person or product.

In 2022, the Equity union launched the “Stop AI Stealing the Show” campaign. The main factor was the use of artificial intelligence strikes that stopped Hollywood last year.

However, since Sir Michael is dead and therefore destitute, the debate on this matter is more about whether it is ethical to make him say things he never said in real life, and whether versions of real words based on artificial hosts’ intelligence is something even listeners want.

Mike Parkinson said that Deep Fusion co-creators Ben Field and Jamie Anderson “are 100% very ethical about this, they’re very aware of the legal and ethical issues, and they won’t try to pretend it’s a real thing.”

Recalling the development of the podcast, Parkinson said: “Before he passed away, (my father and I) were talking about doing a podcast and unfortunately he died before it came to fruition, and that’s where Deep Fusion came to the rescue.

“I approached them and said, ‘If we wanted to do this podcast with my father talking about his archive, is it possible?’ And they said, ‘It’s more than possible, we think we can do better.’

He added that his father “would be fascinated” by the project, although he noted that the broadcaster himself was a “technophobe.”

Discussing his father’s new version of AI, Parkinson said: “It’s amazing what they achieved because I really didn’t think it would be this accurate.”

Anderson, with whom Parkinson collaborated, added: “I don’t think it’s about being better.

“AI Michael does not replace the presenter. This is a new podcast where Sir Michael’s legacy continues. So it doesn’t take away from the presenter’s job.”

Many presenters today will question this. If a celebrity guest agrees to be interviewed by the AI ​​Sir Michael, it likely eliminates the possibility of another interview being conducted by a living journalist.

“Important guests”

Parkinson said one of his motivations was “to find a new, younger audience that probably wasn’t aware of what my father could do.”

“It’s a great way to extend the life of someone who was a misfit and a unique talent of his generation,” he added.

Explaining how the podcast will work, Anderson said: “These are brand new interviews and the artificial intelligence we have created is as close to the late Sir Michael as possible.

“It’s autonomous, so we let it start the conversation and then it’s all up to Sir Michael’s AI, which is trained in Sir Michael’s style and interview questions.

He added: “We can’t reveal who the guests will be yet, we have a few places left, but they are noteworthy and noteworthy people.”

Sir Michael’s television career spanned seven decades and he interviewed some of the world’s biggest stars on his long-running chat show on the BBC and later ITV.