Chapter 1: The Evolution of Grief Technology

The realm of grief technology is rapidly advancing, with companies and scientists pioneering innovative approaches to help individuals cope with loss. These advancements include creating interactive digital memories in the form of bots or avatars that closely mimic the deceased's appearance, mannerisms, and voice. This modern phenomenon can feel more surreal than traditional 19th-century memento mori portraits. The impact of technology on our perception of reality can be profound, often complicating the grieving process.

Digital human replicas are becoming increasingly lifelike. These virtual clones, built from predictive analytics, rely on personal data including text messages, social media content, images, blogs, videos, and voice recordings. The more extensive the data, the more authentic the AI representation becomes. By integrating cutting-edge AI technologies with immersive experiences—such as virtual and augmented reality, holographic projections, and robotics—these avatars are increasingly indistinguishable from actual people.

Death tech innovators like James Vlahos, founder of HereAfter AI, and Eugenia Kuyda, co-founder of the AI startups Luka and Replika, have been at the forefront of this movement. Their work is informed by personal experiences with loss. Vlahos, for example, developed a chatbot called Dadbot, utilizing recordings of his father, who was battling terminal lung cancer. Similarly, Kuyda created a chatbot based on the text messages she shared with her late friend, Roman Mazurenko. The authenticity of these interactions has provided solace to grieving individuals, leading to the development of comfort chatbots that offer avatar variations.

Companies like Soul Machines are crafting digital human entities, including AI replicas for commercial applications, promising “digital experiences that feel alive.” A particularly notable instance occurred last year when a Los Angeles death tech startup, StoryFile, made headlines after the founder's deceased mother appeared at her own funeral, answering questions from mourners through pre-recorded video. Platforms such as StoryFile and HereAfter AI transform recordings into interactive experiences by using conversational AI and holographic avatars.

The introduction of ChatGPT, a sophisticated chatbot from OpenAI, has further accelerated advancements in grief technology. This tool has facilitated the creation of digital avatars that can exist indefinitely in the metaverse, a concept pioneered by Somnium Space. While HereAfter AI currently relies on recorded content, it is also integrating a large language model like ChatGPT to improve conversational experiences. However, the AI's knowledge is limited to the data it has been provided, mitigating the risks associated with unreliable internet sources.

Following the lead of California's death tech pioneers, engineers in China are also developing grief bots using old photos, recordings, and online messages to emulate the personalities of the deceased.

Tech giants are seizing the opportunity to monetize grief technology. For instance, Amazon Echo can record the voices of deceased individuals reading stories for their descendants. The genealogy platform MyHeritage employs generative AI to animate vintage family photographs, which I encourage you to try out.

Microsoft has patented software that utilizes social media posts and text messages to create chatbots representing specific individuals, whether they are living or deceased. However, as confirmed by Microsoft’s AI programs general manager, Tim O’Brien, there are currently no plans to make this technology publicly available.

Professor Hossein Rahnama from Toronto Metropolitan University and a research affiliate at MIT Media Lab has developed a platform called Augmented Eternity. This platform enables individuals to create a digital persona of a deceased person using their online footprint, which can then interact with loved ones, fostering a sense of ongoing presence. Rahnama notes that this approach is particularly effective for younger generations who share their lives extensively online, but may be less applicable to older individuals who are not as digitally engaged.

While many psychologists recognize the therapeutic potential of virtual representations of deceased loved ones, they also voice concerns about the risk of dependency on these virtual interactions. Clinical psychologist Albert Skip Rizzo, who directs Medical Virtual Reality at the Institute for Creative Technologies, emphasizes the need for balance. Although immersive VR experiences can enhance connections, they should be approached with caution.

Sherman Lee, a psychology associate professor and director of the Pandemic Grief Project at Christopher Newport University, highlights the innate human desire to remain connected to loved ones. Engaging with old voice messages, videos, and chatbots that replicate familiar voices can provide comfort during times of grief.

AI's applications extend beyond loss, enabling individuals to document thoughts or navigate challenging conversations. While AI avatars can offer solace to the bereaved, there is a concern that they may prolong grief and hinder emotional healing. Dr. Kirsten Smith, a Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, notes that efforts to restore closeness with the deceased can lead to adverse mental health outcomes.

The manipulation of data raises critical questions about the future of remembrance and mortality. Are we entering a new technological era that transcends still photography to create dynamic, interactive representations of the deceased? Can humanity navigate the increasingly blurred lines between life and death? Given that much of our lives now unfold in virtual spaces, it seems feasible. However, the rise of advanced generative AI applications, such as deep fakes, presents new challenges, including cybersecurity risks.

What happens to our digital data upon our death? This question is as complex as pondering the meaning of life itself. Do we consent to be digitally recreated for our loved ones to engage with indefinitely, knowing we relinquish control over the bot’s interactions? It is essential to address these ethical dilemmas, especially as major tech companies target vulnerable populations, control our data, and offer access only for a price.

Ginger Liu, the founder of Ginger Media & Entertainment, is a Ph.D. researcher specializing in artificial intelligence and visual arts. She is also an author, journalist, artist, and filmmaker.

Chapter 2: Coping with Grief in the Digital Age

How Artificial Intelligence is Now Being Used in the Grieving Process - This video explores the innovative ways AI is transforming how we cope with loss, offering new avenues for connection and remembrance.

The Moment Mum & Dad 'Meet' Their Late Son Again: Coping With Grief Through VR Tech - This video showcases how VR technology allows parents to reconnect with their deceased son, highlighting the emotional impact of such experiences.