StoryFile, a U.S.-based startup, offers a provocative service: it creates a holographic avatar of a person so family members can converse with a digital version long after the real person has gone. Reports about this approach have circulated in outlets such as the Daily Mail, highlighting a growing interest in life-like digital memories.
The process begins with a digital clone built from a meticulous recording session. Twenty cameras capture the subject from multiple angles while the person responds to curated questions on topics selected in advance. Studio technicians then curate the collected footage, tagging individual audio and video clips, and use these materials to train artificial intelligence so the hologram can respond in a manner that resembles the real individual. The goal is to deliver responses that feel natural and contextually appropriate, creating the illusion of a living dialogue with a familiar presence.
After the capture and training phase, the final product is stored in StoryFile’s database. When loved ones seek interaction, the holographic avatar offers a conversational experience designed to simulate ongoing communication with the deceased. The effect hinges on combining harvested media with machine learning to produce responsive, believable exchanges rather than a static portrait.
William Shatner, the actor known for portraying Captain Kirk, has been cited as a user of StoryFile’s services. He described the hologram as a means to preserve memory and legacy for posterity, underscoring the potential emotional value of such technology for fans and families alike. The discussion around his involvement has helped raise awareness of how digital aftercare might fit into broader conversations about remembrance and legacy in the digital age. [Source: Daily Mail]
As the adoption of artificial intelligence grows across industries, many observers note that consumer-focused AI experiences like holographic conversation illustrate a broader trend toward more personalized, memory-based technology. The use of AI to interpret personality cues and deliver contextually appropriate responses raises questions about privacy, consent, and the boundaries between living memory and digital representation. Yet proponents argue that such tools can offer solace, continuity, and a new form of connection for people processing loss. [Source attribution: industry analysts and press coverage]