Agatha Christie Teaches Writing Through AI: A New Era in Literary Education

Christie's estate supports the venture, ensuring her words and essence guide the digital instruction.

Agatha Christie, the renowned British author who passed away in 1976, has seemingly returned to the classroom—virtually speaking, of course. Engaging aspiring writers worldwide, an AI-generated avatar of Christie is offering a writing course through BBC Maestro, an innovative online learning platform akin to MasterClass. This course, priced at £79 (approximately $105), invites students to delve into the craft of storytelling under the guidance of the legendary mystery writer.

The creation of Christie's digital avatar was overseen by a team of academic researchers who crafted a script pulling from her books and previous interviews. They combined her writings with artificial intelligence technology and an actor’s portrayal, specifically utilizing techniques developed by Vivien Keene, to embody Christie's persona. According to Michael Levine, CEO of BBC Maestro, the goal is not to resurrect Christie, but to present her in a way that facilitates an authentic learning experience.

With the growing concerns around AI's ethical implications, notably in creative sectors, this course arrives at a pivotal moment. In the UK, proposed changes to copyright laws have sparked anxiety among creators uncertain if their intellectual property might unwittingly contribute to AI modeling. In this unique case, however, there is no such conflict as Christie's estate has granted permission for this project. Her great-grandson, James Prichard, emphasizes that the project strictly adheres to utilizing her own words and ensuring the avatar truly reflects her character and style.

As the line between technology and tradition continues to blur, this digital education endeavor raises pertinent discussions about the future of learning, authorship, and the essence of genuine literary mastery.