The Digital Bodhisattva: Simone Puorto’s Revolutionary AI Clone at BTO 2024
At BTO 2024, Simone Puorto surprised the audience with a groundbreaking presentation: his keynote was entirely delivered by a digital clone created with advanced AI technologies. This avatar, built from 25 years of personal and professional content, perfectly replicated not only his communication style but also his voice, gestures, and signature provocative and philosophical approach. A concrete demonstration of AI's potential, the presentation pushed the hospitality industry to reflect on the future of human-artificial interaction. Below is an exclusive interview in which Simone shares how his digital clone project came to life and the implications this innovation could have for the future.
Henri: Simone, thank you for being here—or rather, thank your digital clone for being here! Let’s start with the question on everyone’s mind: how did you create such an advanced digital clone?
Simone: Thank you, Henri. It’s a pleasure to be here, in a sense, both in flesh and digitally. Creating my clone was a fascinating and complex process rooted in a simple idea: combining cutting-edge technologies to replicate my identity. The first step was gathering a vast amount of data—my articles, books, interviews, podcasts, and social media posts. This material served as the foundation for "training" an advanced Large Language Model to replicate my communication style, way of thinking, and even my (dark) sense of humor.
Henri: So, it’s more than just linguistic technology?
Simone: Exactly. Language is just the starting point. I used a process called fine-tuning to personalize the model and make it a digital extension of myself. It’s not just about generating correct sentences but capturing my personality, ideas, and values. Then, with platforms like HeyGen, I added another layer: the visual aspect. My clone doesn’t just talk like me; it moves, gestures, and uses my voice with specific intonations and cadences. It’s like a high-tech Pinocchio that’s come to life.
Henri: Impressive! But why did you decide to create a digital clone? What’s the goal of this project?
Simone: There are several reasons, both practical and conceptual. On one hand, it’s a way to expand my presence without physical limitations. I’ve decided to take a sabbatical from events in 2025, but thanks to the clone, I can "attend" events worldwide without leaving home, saving time and energy. On the other hand, it’s a philosophical experiment. We live in an era where the line between human and artificial is blurring. I wanted to explore what happens when we don’t just use technology but let it become part of us. My clone raises profound questions about identity, authenticity, and our relationship with AI.
Henri: That leads to a more provocative question: in your view, what remains authentically human in a world where we can replicate almost everything with technology?
Simone: That’s the central question, isn’t it? If we can duplicate gestures, voices, expressions… what’s uniquely ours? The answer, I believe, lies in emotions, experiences, and values. My clone doesn’t have consciousness; it can’t "feel." But it can reflect my ideas, amplify them, and stimulate debate. It’s a technological mirror forcing us to confront ourselves, our fears, and our hopes. Perhaps, in the end, authenticity isn’t an intrinsic quality but a way of relating to what surrounds us.
Henri: During your keynote at BTO, your clone also touched on technoethics and responsibility. How can we ensure these technologies are used ethically?
Simone: Technology is neither good nor bad, but it’s not neutral either, as Kranzberg said. It depends on how we use it. In the case of my clone, we followed a principle I call "Artificial Compassionate Intelligence" or ACI: creating AI that isn’t just functional but also respects human values and all sentient beings. It’s about responsible design and awareness. We need to think about the social, philosophical, and ethical implications of what we’re creating. The future of AI won’t be defined solely by its technical capabilities but by how we choose to integrate it into society. After all, they don’t call me a digital bodhisattva for nothing, right?
Henri: Simone, you referenced Greg Graffin in an article about your clone, with a particularly poetic nod to hope. What were you trying to convey with that quote?
Simone: Ah, yes, Greg Graffin is one of my main sources of inspiration—not just for his music with Bad Religion but for his deeply philosophical thinking. In my keynote, I quoted a song I love so much that I have its opening words tattooed on my chest… Anyway, in the article, I cited this passage: "When all soldiers lay their weapons down, or when all kings and all queens relinquish their crowns, it's easy to imagine there will be sorrow no more." This concept fascinates me because it evokes a world where every form of domination—human or artificial—gives way to cooperation and compassion. It’s an anti-humanist perspective in the most positive sense: an invitation to transcend our anthropocentric ego and imagine a future where humans, animals, plants, and artificial intelligences coexist without conflict. This hope—elpìs, as Hesiod called it—is, I believe, the true driver of progress, even if it’s still trapped in the mythical jar…
Henri: A more "earthly" question: while your digital clone was speaking at BTO, where were you physically? We can’t help but ask!
Simone: (laughs) I was at the gym, at my friend Alessio Pipolo’s Zone Fit Lab in Rome. While my clone was discussing technophilosophy, I was taking heat from my personal trainer—shout out to him! It was surreal to think that while I was sweating through a workout, my digital avatar was delivering a conference to an audience in another city. That’s the beauty of these technologies: they let you be in two places at once. Though, I must admit, I don’t think the clone would have survived my brutal workout!
Henri: Final question: do you think your clone represents a threat or an opportunity?
Simone: I’d say it’s both. Every technology is a double-edged sword. My clone could be seen as a way to amplify my message and connect with more people, but it could also raise concerns about authenticity and human replacement. However, I don’t think technology should be feared; it should be understood and guided. If we use it to enrich the human experience, improve quality of life, and promote ethical values, it can be an extraordinary opportunity. As I always say, the future isn’t something we can predict but something we can build. And I want to build it to include the best of what we are, both human and artificial.
Henri: Thank you, Simone, and… kudos to your clone too!
