In the age of artificial intelligence and streaming content, the past is no longer something we just study or remember — it’s something we can interact with. Through the power of large language models (LLMs), the voices of iconic figures from history and pop culture are being brought into modern media in ways we never thought possible.
Imagine Albert Einstein answering questions in a virtual science museum, or Maya Angelou participating in an AI-powered poetry reading on a streaming platform. What once lived only in books, interviews, and archival footage can now be revived in dynamic, real-time formats. This is no longer science fiction — it’s the fast-approaching reality of new media. And it’s being led by agencies like CMG Worldwide Agency, which specializes in protecting and commercializing the intellectual property of historic and iconic personalities.
Let’s explore how LLMs are opening the door to these new experiences — and how they’re redefining what it means to preserve a legacy in the digital age.
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What Are LLMs and Why Do They Matter?
LLMs, or large language models, are advanced forms of artificial intelligence that can generate human-like text based on the data they’re trained on. You’ve probably encountered them through chatbots, content generators, or even customer service assistants. But in the world of entertainment and culture, LLMs have the potential to do something truly revolutionary: recreate the voice, style, and thinking patterns of famous individuals.
By training an LLM on a carefully curated dataset — such as public speeches, interviews, writings, and media appearances — developers can create a model that can generate content in the voice of a well-known person. This can be anything from interactive storytelling, to education, to immersive brand experiences. And when paired with lifelike avatars or digital twins, these voices become fully engaging, near-real experiences.
Bridging the Gap Between Generations
The true power of LLMs in entertainment isn’t just technical — it’s emotional and cultural. Many of the figures who shaped our world passed away decades ago. Their impact is well-documented, but their personality — the way they spoke, thought, and connected with people — is often locked away in the past.
Today’s younger audiences may know names like James Dean, Ella Fitzgerald, or Martin Luther King Jr., but few have heard them speak or seen them interact in real time. AI-generated recreations give us a new tool to introduce these icons to younger generations in engaging, dynamic ways.
Instead of reading a biography, students could participate in a live-streamed Q&A with a digital recreation of Amelia Earhart, powered by LLMs trained on her letters, interviews, and journals. Fans of history or pop culture could explore entire interactive environments narrated by the voices of the very people who lived through those moments.
These experiences are not only captivating — they’re educational, humanizing, and deeply immersive.
The Role of CMG Worldwide Agency in Shaping the Future
Creating these digital experiences isn’t just about advanced technology — it’s about responsible licensing, ethical oversight, and protecting the rights of the individuals involved. That’s where CMG Worldwide Agency comes in.
For more than four decades, CMG has been a leader in representing the intellectual property rights of deceased celebrities, artists, athletes, and public figures. The agency is trusted by the estates of figures like John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, and Albert Einstein. Now, in an era of synthetic media and AI-driven creativity, CMG’s work has never been more important.
When it comes to using LLMs to revive iconic voices, CMG plays a critical role in:
- Granting licensing rights to train models on historical materials
- Approving scripts or AI-generated content to ensure accuracy and respect
- Collaborating with families and estates to maintain legacy and brand integrity
- Working with technology partners to develop ethical frameworks for use
This isn’t about using AI just because we can — it’s about using AI thoughtfully, in a way that reflects the values, stories, and impact of the people being represented.
Risks, Rights, and the Need for Guardrails
Of course, with any powerful tool comes the potential for misuse. Without proper safeguards, LLMs could be trained on unauthorized content or used to produce messages that distort the legacy of a historical figure.
That’s why legal frameworks like the Right of Publicity — which CMG Worldwide helped champion — are essential in this new era. These rights ensure that no one can profit off a person’s name, image, or voice without proper permission. They also allow families and estates to remain involved in decisions about how a legacy is extended.
In the AI age, these protections are evolving. Is a voice generated by an LLM still “your” voice? Does AI-created speech qualify as part of someone’s identity? These are the questions being debated in courtrooms, boardrooms, and development labs alike. But what’s clear is that trust, transparency, and consent must be central to every project.
New Media Projects: The Path Ahead
We’re already seeing major studios and platforms explore the use of digital celebrities powered by LLMs. Virtual concerts. Interactive streaming specials. AI-narrated podcasts. Branded content partnerships. The technology is maturing quickly, and public interest is rising.
Looking ahead, it’s easy to imagine a future where livestream events include conversations with AI-powered historical figures, or where museums feature immersive installations narrated by authentic AI recreations. These are projects that blend entertainment, education, and cutting-edge technology — and they’re exactly the kinds of experiences that agencies like CMG Worldwide are helping make possible.
With CMG’s deep catalog of rights and strong relationships with estates, the agency is uniquely positioned to lead this evolution with both creative vision and legal integrity.
Keeping the Past Alive in the Future
At its best, technology gives us new ways to tell stories. LLMs and digital media don’t erase the past — they enhance it, making it more accessible, more relatable, and more engaging than ever before.
But as we continue down this path, we must balance excitement with responsibility. These voices, these names, these identities — they belong to people, families, and legacies that deserve care.
With the right partnerships and protections in place, we can use LLMs to breathe new life into history, one voice at a time. And with leaders like CMG Worldwide Agency helping steer the conversation, we can ensure that this new digital frontier is guided by both innovation and respect.
