They shall grow old: How AI is bringing back celebrities like Diana or Kurt Cobain from the dead

While advances in AI continue to worry experts and the threat of artificial intelligence systems outsmarting humans increases due to the emergence of a new generation of high-performing AI chatbots like ChatGPT, some are taking advantage of these new creative tools by using them in their artistic craft.

One of those people is American creative director Micah Daigle, who adopted him synthography (“AI Art”) as part of its design workflow.

Daigle trains designers on how to use new tools for AI designs and applications In the middle of the journeya generative artificial intelligence program to create art.

His new collection of AI images envisions a “multiverse with photos of people who died too early in our timeline.”

Touching homages to stars that have faded quickly and brightly, or tastelessly generated imagery that threatens to spoil the memory of lost icons?

You’re the judge… And stay tuned for the last two worth scrolling through.

Robin Williams (1951 – 2014)

The popular actor and comedian was 63 when he died in 2014. On August 11, he was found dead at his California home, and the autopsy report concluded that his death was a suicide by “asphyxiation by hanging.” The actor behind classics like Dead Poets Society, Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Good Will Hunting” suffered from depression and anxiety throughout his life. He also suffered from diffuse Lewy body dementia, something Williams’ widow, Susan Schneider, described as “the terrorist in my husband’s brain.” Micah Daigle’s stunning AI photo of Williams features his signature grin and feels both heartwarming and bittersweet considering he was a true entertainer who brought so much joy to countless fans and left us far too soon.

John Lennon (1940-1980)

The legendary Beatles singer was murdered on December 8, 1980. Lennon signed a copy of “Double Fantasy” for Mark David Chapman outside his hotel before leaving for a recording session with his wife Yoko Ono. After the session, Lennon and Ono returned to their hotel. Chapman then shot Lennon twice in the back and twice in the shoulder at close range. The singer was pronounced dead at Roosevelt Hospital. Nothing to say about Daigle’s work here – it’s uncanny how believable this aging looks.

Princess Diana (1961 – 1997)

Diana, Princess of Wales was 36 when she died in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris on August 31 while the driver was fleeing the paparazzi. Daigle’s AI creation manages to recapture part of Diana’s aura and certainly the same hair. Expect avid fans of The People’s Princess to get unnecessarily upset at any image that might somehow “tarnish” the People’s Princess’ image. But this picture works.

Freddie Mercury (1946 – 1991)

The famous Queen frontman died on November 24, 1991 from bronchopneumonia caused by AIDS. Daigle’s work retains the singer’s famous mustache (which looks more like Poirot’s upper lip pad here), but the photo doesn’t quite feel like Mercury. What do you think?

Aaliyah (1979 – 2001)

American singer and actress Aaliyah was just 22 years old when she died in a plane crash in the Bahamas when the overloaded plane she was on crashed after takeoff, killing all nine people on board. This portrait feels like a fitting and respectful tribute to the singer behind hits like “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number” and “Try Again.”

Kurt Cobain (1967 – 1994)

The figurehead of Generation X and one of the most influential rock musicians of all time, the Nirvana rocker died around . April 5 at the age of 27 for apparent suicide. Rumors circulated about his death, including persistent allegations that he had been murdered and theories that his wife, Courtney Love, had a hand in his death. These theories claim that Cobain died of a heroin overdose before he was shot, contrary to the official police report that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This AI portrait is unmistakably Kurt, but at 56 doesn’t quite feel like Kurt. It has the singer-songwriter’s signature grunge style, but just a few wrinkles under his eyes and a little more white in his beard doesn’t quite do the trick.

Elvis Presley (1935 – 1977)

Elvis Presley, another legend and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, died at the age of 42 after years of prescription drug abuse and unhealthy eating habits. On August 16, 1977, he was found unconscious on the bathroom floor of his Graceland mansion after suffering a massive heart attack. Daigle’s portrait shows 88-year-old Presley as a slimmer figure, but looking more like Christopher Walken and Johnny Cash’s illegitimate child than the king.

Whitney Houston (1963 – 2012)

It’s strange considering it’s been over a decade since the acclaimed singer’s death. Houston was only 48 when she was found unconscious in a bathtub in a hotel suite. The coroner’s office reported that Houston’s death was caused by accidental drowning and the effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and drug use. The image of a 60-year-old Houston looks legit, but is a little bittersweet once again, as we lost nothing short of one of the greatest singers of all time in 2012.

Jim Morrison (1943 – 1971)

The Doors singer, songwriter, poet and frontman has lived up to his legacy as a hippie rebel and counterculture icon. His crippling alcohol addiction led to his unexpected death in Paris at the age of 27, an untimely death often associated with the infamous and some would call problematic (in the way he glamorizes the “live fast, die young”) 27 club — which includes others in this article such as Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse. As for Daigle’s AI rendering, the aging shown seems correct, although seeing Morrison looking like Neil Young is a bit unsettling. Perhaps it is better not to imagine how some icons would have aged for fear of undermining the aura of the doomed poet. Speaking of which, the next one is just as disturbing…

Marilyn Monroe (1926 – 1962)

This one can’t help but feel wrong. Thoughts?

Amy Winehouse (1938 – 2011)

The much-missed British soul and blues singer behind hits like ‘Rehab’, ‘Back to Black’ and ‘You Know I’m No Good’ has battled substance abuse and addiction throughout her life. Amy Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning on July 23, 2011 at the age of 27. This image of a 40-year-old Winehouse seems accurate, wisely avoiding showing the ravages of drugs on the singer’s facial morphology.

Heath Ledger (1979 – 2008)

The Oscar-winning Australian actor was one of Hollywood’s most promising talents. He died on January 22, 2008 from complications of an accidental overdose of prescribed medication. As much as we miss him, Ledger’s AI rendering doesn’t quite work here as he looks more like a disheveled Orlando Bloom. Not sure what to make of the old school kitchen background, by the way…

Tupac Shakur (1971 – 1996)

The American rapper is one of the youngest dead celebrities on this list alongside Aaliyah. He was murdered by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shootout in LA on September 7, 1996. After his assassination, Shakur’s friend and rival, the Notorious BIG, was considered a suspect; He too was killed six months later in another shooting from a passing car. Daigle’s picture isn’t a favorite as Tupac (especially his beard) looks too airbrushed and the face is a bit too reminiscent of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to be comfortable…

Bambi’s mother (too soon)

We hate to ruin all the upgraded hearts by telling you that most female whitetail deer live a maximum of 8 years. 84 years old might be going a little too far…

Mufasa (about 25 minutes into The Lion King)

Fuck it Scar! The king is back for his rightful throne! In terms of age, the average life expectancy of the African lion is around 15 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity. So it is an elderly Mufasa who has been provided with delicious treats. As long as he’s with us, no one says anything, everything is fine, please don’t die again, thank you.

Learn more about Micah Daigle and his work Here.