AI-Powered Mario Hologram Is Making CES Attendees’ Skin Crawl
Photo 106303974 © Jeffev123 | Dreamstime.com
Mario is looking not so super at CES 2024. A holographic doppelgänger of the iconic Nintendo character has made its appearance at the event—and although it was intended to showcase some cutting-edge technology, it ended up inspiring unease among attendees.
Proto, known for its advancements in holographic technology, utilized its ProtoHologram system to bring a digital Mario to life in conjunction with Target. The immersive mascot aimed to demonstrate the versatility and potential of lifelike, interactive displays
While the hologram did indeed resemble the beloved plumber, it lacked the cheeriness and whimsical charm one might have come to associate with the character. The real villain, it seemed, was the voice chosen for the mustachioed hero—a monotonous generic Italian voice that lent an unsettling vibe to the whole experience, leading visitors to describe it as “horrific” and “creepy.”
So Mario was at #CES
— Greggory (@ProbChild_) January 10, 2024
But uh… who approved this abomination? 💀 pic.twitter.com/diG3axCJIG
Despite its haunting execution, the hologram served a purpose beyond entertainment. It was brought there to demonstrate how AI technology could be integrated into retail environments, potentially acting as an AI assistant in stores, or engineered to combat loneliness among the elderly as well as enhance telehealth services.
While the demo illustrated how such digital companions could be useful for Americans under the care of AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons), neither the nonprofit nor Nintendo itself was directly involved in the presentation.
In a statement shared with DesignTAXI, a Proto spokesperson clarifies, “The AI hologram animation briefly seen today is an unfinished proof of concept tested for a client to demonstrate technological capabilities and innovation. It is not intended for commercial release. AARP and Nintendo were not involved in the inadvertent showing today. The fact that so many gamers of the world have taken notice shows that they are the best fans in the world and we salute them.”
[via Kotaku, IGN, Destructoid, images via various sources]
