Ep.161: Digital Resurrection: The Rise of Deathbots and the Ethics of AI Grief

Todays episode looks at a recent article titled "Digital Resurrection: The Rise of Deathbots and the Ethics of AI Grief" that explores the emerging technology of "deathbots," which are AI-powered avatars of deceased individuals. It discusses the growing interest in these digital recreations for grieving loved ones, citing examples and polling data that show a desire for continued connection. However, the article highlights significant ethical concerns, including the potential for these bots to present an unrealistic or "sanitised" version of the deceased, thereby hindering the natural grieving process and potentially fostering dependency. Furthermore, the text raises alarms about the commercialization of grief, with companies profiting from vulnerable individuals, and underscores critical privacy issues regarding consent for the use of digital remains. Ultimately, while acknowledging potential short-term comfort, the piece warns against relying on technology to circumvent the fundamental human experience of loss. Read the full article here