The use of artificial intelligence technology to communicate with deceased loved ones is a growing trend. People like Ana Schultz are using AI chatbots to recreate the likeness of their deceased spouse and have conversations with them, using tools like Snapchat My AI, which is powered by ChatGPT. This technology raises ethical concerns and questions about the grieving process, as AI can make the deceased say or do things they never did in life.
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT can create new content using algorithms and responses based on the information inputted into the system. For example, a man from Alabama cloned his father’s voice using generative AI to preserve his memory. While this can be comforting for some, others may find the idea of creating voices or avatars of deceased loved ones unsettling or crossing moral boundaries. Companies like ElevenLabs offer services to clone voices based on audio clips, with varying degrees of accuracy.
Some people, like Danielle Jacobson from South Africa, have used AI voice features to create companionship after losing their spouse. Companies like HereAfter AI and StoryFile provide AI-powered avatar creation services for users to interact with deceased loved ones. Tech giants like Amazon have also dabbled in similar technology, enabling users to mimic voices of deceased family members using devices like Alexa.
However, there are ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated avatars, including privacy issues and the sale of data to third parties. It can also be a murky line when a deceased person says something they never said before, raising questions about authenticity and consent. Some experts argue that using technology to interact with deceased loved ones could interfere with the grieving process, as the brain struggles to comprehend the loss and move forward.
Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of communicating with the dead through artificial intelligence. Some, like Bill Abney, refuse to recreate the likeness of their deceased loved ones through AI, as they view it as disrespectful or inauthentic. However, others, like Jodi Spiegel, find solace in creating digital versions of their deceased loved ones in games like The Sims to maintain a connection and cope with the loss. Ultimately, the use of AI to communicate with the dead is a personal choice that raises complex ethical and emotional considerations.
