WNBA Star Kelsey Plum Just Launched an AI Twin, and Fans Can’t Stop Talking About It originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Kelsey Plum is stepping into the AI era in a way that feels straight out of the future.

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The Los Angeles Sparks star has launched a verified AI digital twin through Talk2Me, becoming the first professional female athlete to debut one. The idea is simple but attention-grabbing: fans can voice call a digital version of Plum and interact with an AI built to reflect her voice, mindset and personality. Plum announced the launch on March 6, and Fast Company reported on the project a few days later as one of the more notable new crossovers between women’s sports and tech.

That alone is enough to get people talking, but this move feels bigger than a novelty app or a flashy launch. In a sports world where athletes are constantly trying to scale their brand without losing control of it, Plum’s AI twin looks like a new kind of playbook.

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What Kelsey Plum’s AI twin actually does

According to Talk2Me, Plum’s digital twin is designed for private, one-to-one conversations at scale. The company says it was built using authorized recordings and data, and that it’s meant to mirror Plum’s tone, perspective and leadership style rather than function like a generic chatbot.

Here’s what the platform says fans can expect:

Real-time conversations focused on training, mindset, resilience, leadership and breaking barriers.

A more personal, mentorship-style experience instead of just watching highlights or scrolling social posts.

Guardrails that limit the twin from giving financial, medical or contractual advice.

Around-the-clock availability, which means fans can access it far beyond the usual interview or appearance window.

Fast Company reported that Plum sees the range of possibilities as “endless,” especially when it comes to connecting with fans, young athletes and people who just love sports. She framed the launch as a sign of where things are headed, saying people can either adapt to this shift or get left behind.

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Why this is bigger than one athlete launch

This is where the story gets really interesting.

Talk2Me is positioning the product as a consent-based alternative to the messy side of AI, including unauthorized clones and deepfakes. The company says Plum’s twin was built with her direct participation and ongoing oversight, which matters a lot in a moment when public figures are increasingly worried about control over their own image and voice.

That angle is especially relevant in women’s sports. Business Wire’s release on the launch framed Plum’s twin as a new model for women athletes to own and monetize their likeness more safely while extending their reach to fans and brands. Fast Company similarly described the launch as part of a broader push for women in sports to control their image and expand their audience.

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The bigger question fans will be asking

The obvious reaction is curiosity: would fans actually want to talk to an AI version of their favorite player?

Maybe more than people think.

If this works, it could become a new lane for athlete-fan engagement, especially for stars who already carry huge demand on social media but have limited time to answer every message, do every camp or connect personally with every young player looking for advice. That does not mean AI replaces the real athlete. It means the athlete might be able to extend their reach without stretching themselves impossibly thin. That is the bet Plum and Talk2Me are making here.

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At minimum, Plum’s launch feels like a preview of where sports tech is headed next. At maximum, it could end up being one of those early moves people point back to when athlete branding changed for good.