A new documentary about Elon Musk has attracted attention at the Venice Film Festival due to the use of artificial intelligence to simulate interviews with the billionaire himself. The film crew recreated the entrepreneur's image and voice to reproduce statements he had made previously.
Director Alex Gibney, an Oscar winner, explained that before using the digital avatar, the team consulted with lawyers and received permission for it. The goal was to provoke reflection on Musk's views on technology and his stance regarding algorithms.
The choice of a computer-generated likeness was deliberate. According to Alex Gibney, this strategy satirizes the thesis promoted by the entrepreneur that humanity lives in a simulation, creating a contrast between the billionaire's real speeches and his virtual version. The filmmaker stated that the objective is to convey 'the reality of what he did and the unreality of his narrative.'
Before proceeding with the idea, lawyers were consulted and gave consent for the use of Musk's avatar. The production uses statements that the entrepreneur actually made in other interviews, rather than creating new phrases for the digital version.
Ashley St. Clair, a former conservative influencer who has a son with Musk, also appears in the documentary. She shares information about their relationship, the entrepreneur's personality, and a confidentiality agreement offered to her regarding alimony payments. St. Clair noted: 'I was offered not to speak for $40 million.'
The production also includes other testimonies and examines various stages of Musk's life. The film touches upon Musk's acquisition of X and what Gibney describes as manipulation of the platform's algorithm.
On Algorithms and Media
'One thing I misunderstood when starting the film was how Musk configured Twitter's algorithms to actually prioritize hostility and hate, rather than what should be a public square,' commented Zoe Schiffer, a Wired journalist who is also involved in the documentary. She stated that Musk adjusted the algorithm 'both to reduce the presence of traditional journalism and to amplify some comments and the most inflammatory voices on the platform.'
The nearly four-hour film covers Musk's childhood, his early years in Silicon Valley, his involvement with DOGE during Donald Trump's second presidency, and his participation in right-wing international politics. The release of the film 'Musk' is scheduled for October.