On Wednesday, BBC Maestro — akin to Masterclass — unveiled a new writing course led by the most successful novelist in history. However, the twist is that the author, Agatha Christie, a landmark figure in mystery writing, passed away 50 years ago and was not able to participate.
Instead, BBC Maestro employed an actress alongside artificial intelligence to replicate Christie’s essence, utilizing her novels, interviews, and personal letters as foundational material for the course. This project is described by its creators as a “world-first,” with the “Agatha Christie On Writing” masterclass now available for eager learners.
Immediately after its launch, the course faced criticism, with some accusing the BBC of creating an Agatha Christie “deepfake.”
In response, BBC Maestro emphasized the collaboration with the Christie estate and their deep admiration for the iconic author.
“This groundbreaking course was meticulously developed over two years by a team of nearly 100 individuals, including scholars, researchers, and creative professionals. Esteemed global experts on Agatha Christie contributed by analyzing her written and spoken words to ensure the course reflects all her teachings,” the announcement stated.
Is the Agatha Christie Writing Course Inspired or Disturbing?
BBC Maestro highlights that viewers and aspiring writers can grasp “the art of suspense, plot twists, and unforgettable characters” from Christie, yet many creators remain cautious about the application of artificial intelligence in artistic fields.
The classification of the course as a deepfake hinges on definitions. A 2024 article from BBC Newsround states that deepfakes are “videos, images, or audio clips created using artificial intelligence to appear real,” and while some use them for fun or research, others employ them maliciously to mislead.
Of course, Christie can’t consent to the use of her likeness and voice, but her estate was closely involved from the beginning of this project. The BBC collaborated with Christie’s great-grandson, James Prichard, who oversees the estate.
The BBC anticipated potential controversy, and both Prichard and BBC Maestro have dismissed the label “deepfake” regarding this project.
In a statement to Mashable, Prichard, Chairman and CEO of Agatha Christie Ltd., remarked, “We’ve designed a course that condenses my great-grandmother’s brilliant craft into an accessible format. This isn’t a fake. The words are her own, researched meticulously. We approached this project with care and respect to honor her legacy and showcase her talent.”
Both Prichard and BBC Maestro stress that the representation of Christie is done with care, despite the contentious nature of AI resurrection projects. In a response, BBC Maestro CEO Michael Levine clarified that the term “deepfake” generally applies to unauthorized and often harmful material, which does not describe their project.
“We conducted every step with ethics and transparency, respecting Christie’s legacy,” Levine stated. He also underscored the collaboration with Christie’s estate and leading scholars in her work.
Throughout the two years of development, the team aimed for a realistic depiction of Christie. Yet, critics of AI technology condemned the initiative almost immediately. Whether this is seen as a beneficial opportunity to “learn directly from the most successful novelist of all time” or as an unsettling application of AI, BBC Maestro rightly calls the course “groundbreaking.”
