AI could bring us digital immortality, but we’re probably not interested in it
In the 1990 fantasy film Truly Madly Deeply (Juliet Stevenson), the main character Nina (Juliet Stevenson) is mourning the death of her recent boyfriend Jamie (Alan Rickman). Jamie, sensing Nina’s deep sadness, returns to her as a ghost in order to help her cope with her loss. You’ll remember from the movie that Jamie’s reappearance makes her question her memories of him, and in turn accept that he may not have been as perfect as she thought. In 2023, AI-based \”grief technology\” will allow us to reconnect with our loved ones even after they’ve died. We’re asked, unlike Jamie who benevolently deceives Nina, to let AI serve us a version of the loved ones we survived. What could go wrong?
We’re ignoring ethical issues like grief and grieving while generative tools such as ChatGPT and Midjourney dominate the AI conversation. It’s cool to see the Pope in a puffa, but what about thinking of your loved ones when they die? Not really. You’d be mistaken if you thought generative AI avatars were still an option. Digital immortality is already available from at least one company, and it’s both expensive and eerie.
Deepbrain AI, for instance, offers a service called Re;memory. The company’s main business is interactive screens with \”virtual assistance\” and AI news anchors. The Korean company took their experience in combining chatbots with generative AI videos to its macabre conclusion. You can create an avatar for $10,000 and a few studio hours. Your family can then visit the offsite facility (at an additional cost). Deepbrain’s headquarters are in Korea. Korean mourning customs include the \”Jesa\”, or annual visit to a deceased person’s grave.
Source:
https://www.engadget.com/digital-immortality-is-coming-and-were-not-ready-for-it-133022423.html
