Utilizing AI to recreate digital afterlives for deceased loved ones is a growing trend among bereaved individuals.
The ethical dilemmas surrounding digital resurrection include concerns about consent and boundaries of replicating a deceased person.
Deep dives
Exploring Unique and Offbeat Reviews on the Internet
Christine and Sandy host Beach 2 Sandy Water 2 Wet, combing the internet for outrageous reviews covering topics from Vegas weddings to spirit Halloween. The podcast showcases real, humorous reviews that reveal unexpected and bizarre perspectives on different products and experiences.
Preserving Memories through Technology and AI
Alexandra Salmon shares her experience of losing her mom's voicemails and the impact it had on her. The discussion delves into utilizing AI to recreate digital afterlives and explore the possibility of preserving a person's essence beyond death through technology.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations in Digital Inheritance
Justin recounts his journey of preserving his mom's essence through a digital persona and cryogenics. The conversation navigates the ethical dilemmas surrounding digital resurrection, consent, and the boundaries of replicating a deceased loved one.
Philosophical Views on Identity and Conscious Experiences
Examining philosophical perspectives on what constitutes a person's survival after death, the episode contemplates concepts of inner life, consciousness, and digital copies. The debate centers on whether AI can authentically capture a person's essence posthumously and the implications of digital presence on human relationships.
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.
