FRANCIS NGANNOU, SOUL MACHINES PUNCH UP FAN ENGAGEMENT WITH LAUNCH OF AI, GPT-ENABLED 'DIGITAL FRANCIS'

Through the magic of biological AI, Soul Machines' newest Digital Celebrity reimagines the fan experience for followers of the athlete at the peak of his career 

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Soul Machines, the company pioneering the creation of autonomously-animated Digital Celebrities through groundbreaking biological AI technology, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with world-famous, heavy-weight champion fighter Francis Ngannou to unveil a Digital Twin of the popular athlete, launching today. This serves as the company's latest project in a growing portfolio of autonomously-animated Digital Twins of celebrity figures, including previously-announced projects for cultural icon Marilyn Monroe, legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, NBA all-star Carmelo Anthony, and most recently with the Digital Twin launch of fan-favorite, K-pop star Mark Tuan.

Merging its own technology with the revolutionary advancements in generative AI and large language models (LLM) like ChatGPT and GPT-4, Soul Machines has elevated its celebrity Digital Twins to be more interactive and humanlike than ever before, fostering an authentic connection between fans and celebrities. The integration of its Human OS autonomous animation platform brings the technology to life, matching each celebrity's individual vibrance and persona with their new digital entity. To access Digital Francis, all fans will need is a webcam and a microphone, just as is required for a video call with a friend or co-worker, for seamless interactivity and human-like, emotional engagement with the figure. Ahead of the legendary fight between Francis and Tyson Fury set to take place in Riyadh on Oct. 28, fans can talk with Digital Francis on the Soul Machines website: www.soulmachines.com/digital-francis-ngannou.

"We have been fortunate to partner with so many big-name celebrities to bring their digital personas to life, and as an athlete at the peak of his career, Francis is clearly one of them," said Greg Cross, CEO of Soul Machines. "It is truly special to work with someone who shares our same passion and vision for Digital Celebrities."

With a growing spotlight on Ngannou and rising popularity amid his successes, Ngannou has partnered with Soul Machines on the development of his Digital Twin to serve what he sees as a key opportunity to reinvent both fan engagement and brand partnerships.

"I've been so focused with training it's been hard for me to stay engaged with fans as much as I'd like," said Ngannou."When I saw the chance to work with Soul Machines on this project, I knew there was a special opportunity here, and I can't wait for everyone to experience Digital Francis."

Francis Ngannou is advised by 3POINT0 Labs, a trailblazing web3 sports advisory and innovation company focused on launching innovative tech products, groundbreaking projects, and forward-looking services in partnership with top-tier sports talent and brands around the world.

"Soul Machines is the perfect partner for how we at 3POINT0 look at the future of Sports and Entertainment. Digital Francis allows us to unlock new and innovative ways to engage with fans and our partners. The possibilities are endless," said Marquel Martin, CEO of 3POINT0 Labs.  

ABOUT SOUL MACHINES

Soul Machines, founded in 2016 by tech entrepreneur Greg Cross and Academy-Award winner Mark Sagar, brings generative AI and large language models to life in the form of autonomously-animated 3D Digital People. Leveraging groundbreaking AI Cognitive Models, Soul Machines democratizes the creation of Digital People, empowering a creator community of innovators who are rethinking the way we work, play, and engage digitally by creating astonishingly lifelike and "alive" Digital People. Soul Machines' Digital People deliver highly personalized brand experiences for global enterprises including Heineken, BankABC, Morningstar, and The World Health Organization, while also redefining entertainment and fan engagement through Digital Celebrities, including Carmelo Anthony, Jack Nicklaus, and Mark Tuan. A 2023 Microsoft Azure AI Partner of the Year, Soul Machines adds a uniquely immersive element to human interaction to elevate personalized brand experiences and open new paths for celebrities to engage with their fans in the digital worlds of today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.soulmachines.com.

ABOUT FRANCIS NGANNOU

Francis Ngannou is a Cameroonian-born, professional lineal MMA Heavyweight Champion of the World and will be making his boxing debut on October 28^th in Saudi Arabia.  Holding the record for the hardest punch, Ngannou has quickly climbed through the ranks to become one of the most feared fighters of his time.  Aptly known as "The Predator", Ngannou's incredible rise to prominence has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2020 ESPN MMA Fighter of the Year award. 

Born in extreme poverty, his story serves as an inspiration to many, showcasing the power of determination and resilience in overcoming adversity.   Earlier this year, Ngannou boldly cut ties with the UFC as a result of unfair contracts and compensation and has since joined the PFL where he will serve in a leadership role on the PFL global advisory board, making him the first active fighter to sit on the board and represent fighters' interests. 

Beyond his fighting career, Ngannou is also involved in philanthropic endeavors, aiming to improve access to education, healthcare and training opportunities in his home country of Cameroon through his foundation, saying "I fully understand the misfortune and suffering that is around every single one of us. At my level, I will always do something to contribute to the betterment of lives through this Foundation I created in 2018."  With his extraordinary skills and inspiring story, Francis Ngannou continues to captivate fans worldwide.

Contact:

Soul Machines
[email protected]

Francis Ngannou
[email protected]

SOURCE Soul Machines