Science Friday What Happens To Your Digital Presence After You Die?
Oct 30, 2025
Jed Brubaker, an information scientist and head of the Digital Legacy Clinic at the University of Colorado Boulder, dives into the intriguing world of digital afterlives. He discusses the significance of memorial pages and how they can support grieving families. Brubaker explores the ethical dilemmas of creating AI chatbots of deceased loved ones and emphasizes the importance of consent. He shares practical steps for managing one's digital legacy and presents insights into how technology can shape our memories long after we’re gone.
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Digital Memorials Support Ongoing Connection
- Digital memorials often help people maintain connection and remember loved ones rather than just reminding them of loss.
- Jed Brubaker changed his view after seeing messages people left and the value those profiles provided.
Family Disputes Over Early Facebook Accounts
- Allie described arguing with her brother over who would manage their father's early Facebook account after his unexpected death.
- She appreciates the chance to honor him but finds platform reminders sometimes jarring.
Pick A Tech-Savvy Digital Executor
- Choose a tech-savvy, culturally aware person to manage digital accounts after you die rather than defaulting to a spouse.
- Treat the digital executor like a will executor who understands platform norms.