Here’s a plot twist: Acclaimed actor Robert Downey Jr has offered to be the voice behind Mark Zuckerberg’s personal AI assistant.
Ever since Mark Zuckerberg revealed that he is creating his own AI assistant to help out with tasks around his private home, comparisons have likened Zuckerberg to Marvel’s Tony Stark (Iron Man) and the billionaire philanthropist playboy’s own AI compatriot, Jarvis. Now, in a major plot twist, the actor behind Tony Stark himself – Robert Downey Jr – has volunteered to be the voice behind Zuckerberg’s AI.
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Zuckerberg posted to Facebook to ask suggestions as to who would be able to provide the best voice for the system, and while contributions arrived punting the likes of Paul Bettany (Jarvis) or Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek, The Hobbit, The Imitation Game) Robert Downey Jr had an idea of his own.
Commenting on Zuckerberg’s post, Downey volunteered for the job with an odd condition; that Paul Bettany is paid for any work done, and chooses to donate it to a charity of Benedict Cumberbatch’s choosing.
Now, this might not ever come to pass, but it’s at least a plot twist worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster. As Zuckerberg himself replied, “this just got real”.
Zuckerberg’s own personal project, through which the Facebook co-founder hopes to build his own AI system – forms part of a larger research focus at Facebook. Recently, Facebook, Microsoft, IMB, Amazon, and Google came forward to announce a Partnership on AI, wherein the technology conglomerates will share information, research, and ethical appraisals on the development of artificial intelligence.
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