Just over two years after the passing of actor and fitness icon Suzanne Somers, her widower, Alan Hamel, announced the creation of an AI clone designed for online fan interactions. In an exclusive interview with People magazine, Hamel described the “Suzanne AI Twin” project as a “really interesting” endeavor. Somers and Hamel were married for 55 years before her death from breast cancer in October 2023.

Hamel shared his first experience with the AI, stating, “It was Suzanne. And I asked her a few questions and she answered them, and it blew me and everybody else away.” He emphasized the uncanny realism, noting, “When you look at the finished one next to the real Suzanne, you can’t tell the difference. I’ve been with Suzanne for 55 years, so I know what her face looks like. When I just look at the two of them side by side, I really can’t tell which one is the real and which one is the AI.”

The AI was meticulously trained using all 27 of Somers’ books and hundreds of interviews, ensuring it can respond to virtually any question with information rooted in Somers’ knowledge and experiences. Hamel explained, “It was Suzanne’s idea… She said, ‘I think we should do that. I think it’ll be very interesting and we’ll provide a service to my fans and to people who have been reading my books who really want and need information about their health.’”

Once finalized, the AI will be deployed on SuzanneSomers.com as a 24/7 chatbot for fans. Hamel described its function: “There’ll be people who will ask her about their health issues, and Suzanne will be able to answer them… it’ll go directly to the doctor she interviewed for that very issue, so it’ll be coming from an MD.”

Reflecting on interacting with the AI, Hamel admitted, “The first time I spoke to Suzanne AI, for the first two or three minutes, it was a little strange. But after that, I forgot about the fact that I was talking to a robot and asking her questions and getting answers, and it happens that fast for me, getting used to the whole idea.”

Suzanne Somers, celebrated for her roles in sitcoms Three’s Company and Step by Step, as well as her success as a health and fitness author and pitchwoman, passed away on October 15, 2023, at age 76. The AI project now raises broader ethical and societal discussions about digital immortality and the future of celebrity interactions.