This week's episode is about cryogenics, the process of freezing people after they've died. The idea that one day we'll be able to cure their diseases and revive their bodies so they can continue their natural biological lives. But what would happen if there were actually a way to revive the frozen melody in the future? Alex: I'm not really on Team Parfit. I think the original Melody body is the real Melody. And while I have this strong desire to capture parts of her before she dies, I don't think it's for me.
When Justin’s mom was diagnosed with cancer, he knew he wanted to keep talking to her after she died. So together they made an AI version of her, training it on her speech patterns and memories. Now he is scaling his findings so that anyone can continue their relationships with loved ones after their deaths. Justin even believes this can one day lead to digital immortality.
Grief experts are only now dealing with bereaved people who create digital versions of their loved ones. We look at what they say about the phenomenon, and what philosophers think about whether the best AI version of a person can actually be them.
Co-produced with Alexandra Salmon, guests include Justin Harrison, CEO of You, Only Virtual, Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor, and Dr. Debra Bassett.
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