Do you really know? How is AI giving a voice to the dead?
Oct 22, 2025
Explore the intriguing concept of creating AI versions of the deceased, known as deadbots. Inspired by the haunting Black Mirror episode, the discussion dives into how these digital personas are crafted using our personal data. Hear about a real-world example where tech was used to recreate a lost loved one and learn about the commercial ventures racing to develop these services. The conversation also raises important ethical questions surrounding consent and the implications of interacting with AI representations of those who have passed.
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How Deadbots Are Built
- Deadbots recreate deceased people by training on their digital traces like messages, calls, photos and videos.
- They can appear as text chatbots, voice agents or video deepfakes to simulate conversation.
Real Case: Project December
- Justin Barbeau used Project December and GPT-3 to create an artificial version of his deceased fiancée Jessica in 2021.
- He used the model to converse with a simulated Jessica built from her data and memories.
Commercial Momentum Around Deadbots
- Several companies actively develop paid deadbot services, seeing commercial demand from grieving people.
- Services range from virtual avatars to studio-filmed virtual humans for posthumous interaction.