MIT Technology Review Narrated Deepfakes of your dead loved ones are a booming Chinese business
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Jun 18, 2025 In China, AI-generated avatars of deceased loved ones are becoming a way for people to cope with grief. The technology behind deep fakes allows for realistic representations that offer emotional comfort. This trend raises intriguing ethical questions about how society processes loss. As digital tributes grow in popularity, the conversation around their implications for mourning and memory is just beginning.
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Sun Kai's Digital Mom Connection
- Sun Kai talks weekly with a digital avatar of his deceased mother to maintain a connection.
- Although limited to pre-written lines, the interaction brings him emotional comfort and remembrance.
AI Avatars Extend Grief Traditions
- Many in China use AI avatars to preserve and interact with dead loved ones, continuing a cultural tradition.
- The technology is improving, becoming more affordable and accessible to the general public.
Rapid Growth of AI Cloning Tech
- AI cloning uses similar tech for living and dead replicas, combining diffusion models and large language models.
- In China, AI avatars have rapidly matured with new 3D interactions, becoming affordable within a few years.