The first episode of a podcast hosted by AI replicating Sir Michael Parkinson has been released – and comedian and podcaster Jenny Eclair has branded it a « terrible, terrible idea ».
The podcast Virtually Parkinson sees AI technology synthetically recreate the late presenter’s voice and style to interview real-life celebrities.
Known for his interviews with the world’s biggest stars, Parkinson died in 2023 aged 88, following a brief illness.
The first episode released on Monday saw the Parkinson AI speak to R&B singer Jason Derulo, who was answering questions about his upbringing, fatherhood and fracturing part of his neck.
Eclair, who co-hosts the podcast Older and Wider with Judith Holder, said it made her « furious ».
Jenny Eclair, pictured in 2015, co-hosts the podcast Older and Wider. Pic: PA
Speaking about the podcast on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Eclair, 64, said: « I’m furious, because there are living people like me who’ve still got mortgages, I’ve just actually mostly got rid of mine.
« But there’s not enough room. I know he was dearly loved and that sort of thing but there’s loads of back catalogue content that people can help themselves to.
« This is a terrible, terrible idea, we’re all fighting over the same space you know, the podcasts and the telly, and everybody’s desperately trying to say ‘me over here, please listen to my stuff’.
« I’ve got a podcast and I don’t think I can compete with Michael Parkinson, even when he’s not living and breathing. »
Michael Parkinson and Dame Helen Mirren. Pic: Rex
Virtually Parkinson’s producers Deep Fusion Films, who created the show with the support and involvement of Parkinson’s family and estate, said: « Jenny’s comments are precisely why the podcast was created, AI is a subject which people have strong opinions about, but is AI as scary as people think it is?
« Is it really coming for people’s jobs? Virtually Parkinson exists to explore the relationship between AI and humans, it simply couldn’t do that without having an AI host, so this is not a case of an AI replacing a human job.
« In fact, the podcast is launched at a time when the creative sector has been hit very hard and many find themselves out of work and Virtually Parkinson has created 15 jobs, which otherwise wouldn’t have existed. »
‘A tribute to my dad’
It was Parkinson’s son, Mike Parkinson, who reached out to the company with the idea of creating the podcast as a way to preserve his father’s legacy, calling it « a tribute to my dad ».
Deep Fusion was already using AI technology – dubbed « Squawk » – to allow live humans to speak with voices from the past.
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When Mike Parkinson reached out, Deep Fusion drew from a back catalogue of more than 2,000 of his father’s interviews to recreate his voice and interview technique.
The company also expanded to create the project, hiring a new head of creative AI, an AI prompt engineer, researchers, guest bookers, podcast producers, and a sound engineer.
When the podcast was first announced last year, Mike Parkinson said: « I want audiences to marvel at the technology, the cleverness and cheekiness of the concept, but mostly I want them to remember just how good he was at interviewing and enjoy the nostalgia and happy memories.
« Through this platform, his legacy can continue, entertaining a new generation of fans. »
Podcast comes as government embraces AI future
The show’s launch has coincided with the government’s pledge to « mainline AI into the veins » of the UK, claiming that if AI is « fully embraced », it could bring £47bn to the economy every year.
Announcing his goals to make the UK « the world leader » in AI, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said: « Artificial Intelligence will drive incredible change in our country. From teachers personalising lessons, to supporting small businesses with their record-keeping, to speeding up planning applications, it has the potential to transform the lives of working people.
« But the AI industry needs a government that is on their side, one that won’t sit back and let opportunities slip through its fingers. And in a world of fierce competition, we cannot stand by. We must move fast and take action to win the global race. »
