Elvis Presley is the latest celebrity to be resurrected with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). An immersive experience called “Elvis Evolution” is set to immerse viewers in the life and legacy of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The show will feature a life-size digital Elvis performing his iconic songs and hip gyrations, debuting in London in November, with subsequent shows in Las Vegas, Berlin, and Tokyo.
“Through AI and groundbreaking tech, you’ll be able to witness iconic Elvis performances as if you were really there, and celebrate defining moments in Elvis Presley’s extraordinary life and career,” said U.K. immersive specialist Layered Reality, which is producing the show. The tech includes holographic projection and augmented reality, complemented by theatrical sets and live actors.
“You’re going to go on a journey and really understand what Elvis went through during his life,” Andrew McGuiness, CEO of Layered Reality, said in a video about the upcoming show. The experience will include stops in Tupelo, Mississippi, where Presley was born in 1935, and Graceland, his famous Memphis home. The finale, a concert by digital Elvis, is promised to be “jaw-dropping.”
This Monday, January 8, would have been Elvis’ 89th birthday. Despite his death in 1977, his popularity has never waned. Elvis continues to inspire movies, TV series, musicals, and books. Recently, he achieved simultaneous hits on the Billboard charts, showing his enduring appeal. Layered Reality hopes this AI experience will allow younger fans to “attend” an Elvis concert years after his last performance.
Elvis is not the only artist being brought back to life through AI. French chanteuse Edith Piaf is set to narrate an AI-produced film about her life, “Edith,” using technology trained on hundreds of her voice clips and images. Vincent van Gogh, digitally resurrected, currently interacts with visitors at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
Even living artists are getting digital versions. K-pop star Mark Tuan’s digital twin engages with fans, and Kiss, after their farewell show at Madison Square Garden, announced they will continue to perform as lifelike avatars. “We can live on eternally,” said lead vocalist Paul Stanley. Swedish band Abba also reunited digitally, with avatars created by Industrial Light & Magic performing 40 years after their last concert.
For “Elvis Evolution,” the owners of Presley’s estate granted Layered Reality access to hours of home video footage and thousands of personal photos, ensuring a faithful recreation of the Elvis era. This innovative approach will allow fans to experience the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll like never before.
