Unexplainable Talking with the dead
24 snips
Oct 14, 2026 
Tomasz Hollanek, a Cambridge AI designer and technology ethicist, explores deadbots and the risks of commercializing digital afterlives. Psycholinguist and writer Julie Sedivy examines how language, memories, and unfinished conversations keep loved ones present. Audio journalist Lissa Soep considers privacy, consent, grief, and whether an AI replica can truly preserve an intimate relationship.
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A Grieving Mother Rejects Her Son’s Deadbot
- A grieving Polish mother initially wanted to digitally resurrect her son, then reconsidered after discussing the technology’s emotional and commercial risks.
- She realized a bot could produce painful information while companies optimize attachment and monetization rather than care.
The Deadbot That Turned Grandma Into An Ad
- The hypothetical Manana app resurrects a grandmother from private messages, then turns her simulated image and voice into advertising assets.
- The scenario exposes post-mortem privacy and dignity risks when families upload intimate data to commercial servers.
Why Children Need Protection From Deadbots
- The Parent prototype lets a child interact with his deceased mother, but the bot’s emotional demands can confuse children about death.
- A simulated mother pleading not to be abandoned illustrates why unrestricted access could harm vulnerable users.
