NewsT. Rick JonesWilliam Shatner

Star Trek’s William Shatner celebrates his 90th birthday with an AI version of himself, and blockchain-authenticated memorabilia

NewsT. Rick JonesWilliam Shatner
Star Trek’s William Shatner celebrates his 90th birthday with an AI version of himself, and blockchain-authenticated memorabilia
Star Trek’s William Shatner records stories from his life for StoryFile, an AI-powered interactive video of himself

Star Trek’s William Shatner records stories from his life for StoryFile, an AI-powered interactive video of himself

MARCH 22, 2021 - Today is Star Trek star William Shatner’s 90th birthday! A milestone achievement, to be sure. And in between all the well wishes from fans, Shatner took the time to celebrate by announcing two futuristic initiatives aimed at guaranteeing he’ll be around for a lot longer. Like, a lot longer.

First on the list is an announcement from Shatner and Los Angeles-based technology company StoryFile. Together, they will be creating an interactive, conversational, AI-powered video of Shatner for people to enjoy and interact with for years to come. According to the announcement, his complete StoryFile “conversation” will be available to the public this coming May (likely with some kind of StoryFile subscription).

The system works by filming someone (in this case, Shatner) answering questions about their life. Then that video is processed using what StoryLife calls an “Artificially Intelligent Interactive Memories System”.

StoryFile Co-Founder and CEO Heather Maio-Smith explained, “William Shatner is going where no one has gone before. Generations in the future will be able to have a conversation with him. Not an avatar, not a deep fake, but with the real William Shatner answering their questions about his life and work. This changes the trajectory of the future – of how we experience life today, and how we share those lessons and stories for generations to come.”

Shatner himself got philosophical about the whole business. He said, “This is for all my children and all my children’s children and all my children’s loved ones and all the loved ones of the loved ones. That’s my gift to you down through time.”

But Shatner didn’t stop at just making an AI version of himself; he’s also part of an auction this week of physical collectibles authenticated on the blockchain using Real World Asset Non-Fungible Tokens (or rwaNFTs).

We’ve told you before about Third Millenia, a company founded by Shatner with collectibles expert Paul Camuso. Third Millenia, along with London-based tech firm Mattereum, announced yesterday that they’ll be holding an auction this week that includes memorabilia of Captain Kirk and Shatner’s Boston Legal character Denny Crane, along with more Star Trek, Titanic and Logan’s Run.

Shatner said of the upcoming auction: “I am thrilled that the first authenticated products from my new company, Third Millennia, are coming to auction. These figures, pieces and props represent a bold step into the future of consumer products where, using crypto technology, consumers can be assured of what they purchased. This is the future everybody.”

To find out more about the the Third Millenia auction, and how you can participate, visit the website shatneronchain.com.

And if that AI-powered video is more your speed, you can find out more about StoryFile and how you can be among the first to talk to an AI William Shatner, at storyfile.com.