Robert Downey Jr. Volunteers to Voice Zuckerberg's JARVIS Assistant Zuck enlisted Facebook's billion-plus users, saying 'it's time to give my AI JARVIS a voice. Who should I ask to do it?'

By Steve Dent

This story originally appeared on Engadget

Shutterstock

Mark Zuckerberg famously set himself a New Year's goal to create an AI assistant to control his house, and now that it's almost ready, he needs a voice for it. Naturally, Zuck enlisted Facebook's billion-plus users, saying "it's time to give my AI JARVIS a voice. Who should I ask to do it?" Someone suggested "Robert Downey Jr. or Benedict Cumberbatch," and another suggested Paul Bettany, the actual actor who plays Iron Man's JARVIS AI. Much to everyone's surprise, Downey Jr. himself replied.

"I'll do in a heartbeat if Bettany gets paid and donates it to a cause of Cumberbatch's choosing ... that's the right kind of STRANGE!" he said, tying the suggestions together and seemingly plugging Cumberbatch's upcoming Dr. Strange Marvel Studios film. Zuckerberg replied in like fashion, saying "this just got real." There's no word on whether he intends to take Downey Jr. up on the offer, though the charity angle gives him a graceful way to do it.

Zuckerberg revealed recently that the assistant can control lights, open his gates and change the temperature around the house. If he can enlist theIron Man actor, it'll at least make those mundane tasks a bit more dramatic.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Buying / Investing in Business

From a $120M Acquisition to a $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Buying / Investing in Business

Big Investors Are Betting on This 'Unlisted' Stock

You can join them as an early-stage investor as this company disrupts a $1.3T market.

Thought Leaders

Cultural Fit Can Make or Break an M&A Deal

One of the most critical components for success -- cultural fit -- often falls by the wayside.

Business Solutions

Save $80 on Lifetime Access to the Latest MS Office Apps

New features, modern design, and lifetime ownership for $169.97.