Alan Hamel, the widower of Suzanne Somers who died of breast cancer in 2023, revealed this week that the idea for an AI project showcasing a digital twin of her was initially hers. He explained, “It was Suzanne’s idea,” adding that she believed this could serve her fans and readers looking for health insights.
Hamel mentioned that they had been mulling over this concept since the 1980s. He shared how Ray Kurzweil, a friend of theirs, introduced the idea to them decades ago. Hamel recounted that Kurzweil, whom he referred to as possibly the smartest person alive, always hinted that this technology would eventually arrive. “It took time, but we knew it was coming,” he said.
According to Hamel, they collaborated with an AI company named Holo to bring the virtual representation of Somers to life, which he described as almost indistinguishable from the real thing. He had a surprising experience during a showcase at an AI conference called Roth 25, where he interacted with the AI version of Suzanne. “It really amazed me how accurate it was,” he noted.
He emphasized that the digital version could realistically pose as his late wife, claiming no one would be able to tell which one was real if placed side by side. This project, a culmination of decades-long discussions, feels, perhaps, like a tribute to their enduring legacy. After all, they were together for 55 years, and he knows her likeness very well.
Suzanne Somers passed away on October 15, 2023, at 76, after fighting breast cancer for many years, having been diagnosed in 2000. The couple met during the 1960s on a game show and were married for nearly 44 years.
In an interview, Hamel added that the AI twins were informed by all 27 of Somers’ books and countless interviews, making them capable of providing substantial answers. It’s a striking blend of technology and memory, perhaps a way for her voice to continue on.
