Susana’s interview with La Mary was carried out utilizing artificial intelligence.
Susana Giménez, the iconic diva of Argentine television, created an unforgettable moment on her Telefe show by interviewing her character, La Mary, from the classic film directed by Daniel Tinayre. This groundbreaking event was made possible through the marvels of artificial intelligence (AI), thanks to the creative vision of Juan Manuel Funes Szelagowski and the team at Furor Studio.
Behind the Scenes: The Genesis of the Idea
The concept for this innovative interview began with conversations between Juan Manuel Funes Szelagowski and Noe Antonelli, the CEO of Furor Studio. Together, they approached Luli Varela, Susana’s executive producer, with a proposal to leverage AI for something truly unique. As Juan explained, “The talks with the production started in August, the following month we had the approval, and that’s when the opportunity arose. It was La Mary’s 50th anniversary, and that’s how everything started.”
The Challenge of Creating AI, La Mary
Creating an AI version of La Mary was no small feat. The team faced significant challenges, particularly in achieving the dynamic spontaneity typical of an interview. They began by casting an actress who matched Susana’s physical appearance during the La Mary era. Once cast, the next hurdle was ensuring the AI could capture the essence and spontaneity of a real interview.
Susana’s Role and Enthusiasm
Susana Giménez’s willingness to engage with the AI version of her character was crucial. Juan noted, “Susana was encouraged to play. She understood everything perfectly and took on the moment of the interview. She gave the guidelines for the topics and how much to expand.” Her comfort and openness during the interview allowed the team to achieve a natural and emotional conversation.
Technical Mastery
The technical process involved extensive pre-production and post-production efforts. The team analyzed a vast amount of audiovisual material from Susana’s career, including the remastered film and high-quality interviews. This material was used to train an AI model to replicate La Mary’s look, voice, and gestures with remarkable accuracy.
A Historic Achievement
This project marks a significant milestone not just for Telefe but on a global scale. It is the first time AI has been used to conduct an interview of this nature, setting a new precedent in the use of technology in media. Juan expressed his pride in this achievement, stating, “I am very happy, very proud because this would not have been possible if a channel like Telefe had not dared to do this. On the other hand, I am very happy that it is being done here in Argentina, during prime time, with a diva like Susana.”