It's Been a Minute AI can keep you alive forever. Should it?
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Sep 15, 2025 
Chloe Veltman, an NPR Culture Desk correspondent, dives into the intriguing world of the AI digital afterlife industry. She discusses how 'deadbots' use digital footprints to mimic lost loved ones, raising ethical and legal concerns. The conversation highlights the potential for commercialization, including advertising through these digital avatars. Veltman explores the emotional motivations behind these technologies and their impact on our perceptions of grief and loss. Are we ready for a world where AI keeps our memories alive, or does it risk crossing an ethical line?
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How Deadbots Are Made And Used
- Deadbots are built by training generative models on a person's digital footprint like texts, videos, and voice recordings.
- People use them to stay emotionally connected to deceased loved ones even when the bot is not the real person.
Commercial Pressure On Deadbots
- Deadbots are already ripe for commercial exploitation because their persuasive power can be monetized.
- Audience acclimation to ads on digital platforms makes ad-supported deadbots a plausible future.
Treat Legal Framework As Unsettled
- Expect legal uncertainty because there are no comprehensive US federal AI laws and only patchwork state protections for likeness and voice.
- Monitor state law and litigation outcomes before deploying or commercializing deadbot features.