AI-generated Jimmy Stewart narrates a new bedtime story for Calm app 25 years after his death

nypost.com:

Variety. Approved by both Stewart’s estate and family, the sleep time app managed to re-create the voice of the Hollywood legend, who died in 1997 at the age of 89 due to pulmonary embolism, through AI voice-cloning technology. “Well, hello.

I’m James Stewart. But, well, you can call me Jimmy,” the voice of the “Vertigo” actor can be heard saying at the start of the story. “Tonight, I’m going to tell you a story.

It’s a heartwarming story of love, of loss, of hope and of joy. But most of all, it’s a wonderful sleep story.”In a statement to the outlet, Kelly Stewart Harcourt, one of Stewart’s daughters, said: “We are excited for our dad to be the voice of Calm’s latest Sleep Story.”“It’s amazing what technology can do and wonderful to see Dad’s legacy live on this holiday season in new ways, like helping people find restful sleep and sweet dreams.”Tina Xavie, chief marketing officer of CMG Worldwide, added: “Jimmy Stewart’s calming voice is one of the most iconic in movie history, and we’re thrilled to see it brought to the leading relaxation app on the market.” “Thanks to advanced technology, we all get the joy of hearing Jimmy’s unique voice again,” she went on.

In order to ensure that Stewart’s voice was flawless, Calm partnered with the AI voice-cloning startup Respeecher, who employed a voice actor to read the script and mimic Stewart’s style of speech.“It was essential, like in all other projects, that the project was done according to high ethical standards and respect, which Respeecher has advocated for many years,” Alex Serdiuk, Respeecher CEO and co-founder, explained.