Kelsey Plum is pushing the boundaries of fan interaction, but her latest venture—an AI ‘digital twin’—is drawing heavy fire from the very people she’s trying to connect with.

In an unprecedented female-athlete collaboration with the AI platform Talk2Me, Plum has launched a digital twin to engage her fans through real-time conversations. The launch of this digital twin was reported earlier this month and is also said to be built so fans can get a mentorship-type experience and advice from the platform.

“The opportunity to have a twin that can connect with fans, with young people, people that love basketball, people that are just interested in sports. The range is endless,” Plum had said of her decision. “It’s where we are in society, and I think you are either gonna get with it or get lost,” she added. NBA Central’s X handle confirmed the launch of Plum’s AI “Digital Twin”.

On the surface, the model helps extend Plum’s reach among fans. It’s a given that, with their hectic schedules, pro players like Plum have little time to converse with fans. But her digital twin might solve it by actually picking up calls and engaging in conversations. Subsequently, this move can also expand the boundaries of AI in this regard, especially in the current landscape, where AI is under immense scrutiny.

This looks helpful, but fans feel two elements undermine the idea’s motive: Authenticity and Digital Security.

Fans Are Not Buying Into What Kelsey Plum’s AI Model Is Selling

“Bro who would want to talk to ai Kelsey plum,” commented a fan. 

“@grok Is this the future of fan interaction—or the beginning of losing real human connection in sports?” remarked another. 

According to reports, Kelsey Plum’s digital twin has full authorization to study and use the two-time WNBA Champion’s behaviors and recordings. In short, it’s built to fully reflect Plum’s mindset and tone. Yet, despite that, the distinction between an AI model and a human psyche will always remain, especially in terms of emotions and appeal. The craze people get while talking to Plum in real time is, of course, very different from the AI model.

“I guess I’ll get lost,” wrote a fan. 

“So we are seeing people give their human rights and likeness to digital versions of themselves that they now have to legally be in business with…” stated another. 

The onset of AI is eventually reflecting in the world of sports as well. With the rapid growth of AI models around us, there’s no doubt that Plum’s model might be part of a larger scheme in the future. We already got a taste of it back in 2022 when Epic AI built Luka Doncic’s Luk.AI. Initially based on TikTok, the model could self-learn and engage in conversations with fans.

“Fans can get to know him and help to make him smarter by engaging with him,” Doncic said of his model. “He’ll reply to their comments, listen to their ideas, and create videos with them, too.” In addition, the LA Lakers guard also aspired to use this as a model to enhance technology-based education among the communities. All in all, Doncic and Plum’s models provide a clear view of the abundant possibilities in the collaboration between AI and sports.

But fans are not buying into it, as they prioritize privacy and security over creativity.

“Kelsey Plum dropping 40 in Unrivaled AND cloning herself with AI in the same month 😭🤖 the future of women’s sports is wild… bro you can literally call her now 💀🔥” chimed in another. 

Plum’s basketball endeavors in the past few weeks have been quite exemplary. With Phantom BC, Plum competed in the finals of the Unrivaled. She dropped a 40 on Mist BC during the Championship game. But her team eventually suffered a decisive loss, finishing as runner-up. Plum backed up this performance with a solid campaign in San Juan at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers.

She was part of the All-Five team for her performances during the tournament. Plum’s performance helped the USA go 5-0 in the competition. Amid all these basketball heroics, this out-of-the-box business idea of an AI clone isn’t something that the fans expected. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how Plum’s AI model can strengthen the player-fan relationship.

Kelsey Plum has a lot to think about outside this business move, too. With a new CBA agreed upon, a new WNBA season is right on the other side of the tunnel. But before that, the two-time WNBA champion will have to find a team for the upcoming season, given she’s an unrestricted free agent.