Using technology to talk to the dead: company proposes controversial initiative

Nowadays, artificial intelligence has established itself as an increasingly comprehensive and significant presence in our society. In fact, this technology is invading and taking over various aspects of human life. It significantly shapes the way we live, work and relate to each other.

From virtual assistants on our smartphones to personalized recommendation systems on streaming platforms, AI is everywhere. It powers automation, data analysis, and decision-making.

AI to cope with grief

In the United States, the company HereAfter AI aims to develop advanced artificial intelligence capable of establishing communication with the deceased.

The purpose of this is to collect different types of information, such as photographs, videos and data about a person’s personality, preferences and facial expressions both during their lifetime and after their death.

This information would be used to create a virtual avatar, which would allow interaction between other people and the AI ​​representing the deceased individual.

This initiative aims to explore the technological possibilities of simulating the presence and personality of a person who is no longer alive. In this way, it would provide a way for people to connect with loved ones or important figures who have passed away in an attempt to alleviate the consequences caused by grief.

The dangers

However, according to a study by the renowned magazine MIT Technology Reviewthe use of AI to simulate deceased people, despite seeming exciting and driven by good intentions, can lead to a series of ethical problems and challenges.

One of the important aspects is the emotional and psychological dimension of contact with an avatar of someone who has already passed away. Interacting with an artificial intelligence that pretends to be a loved one can be disturbing and complicated for those who are going through the grieving process.

The research highlights that the experience of dealing with a virtual entity that resembles a loved one can generate emotional conflicts and make the process of accepting and adapting to the loss difficult.

This can be compared to the harmful effects of a drug, as Dr. Gabriela Casellato explains:

“An app used freely by the bereaved would be at the service of their anguish and despair in the face of longing, preventing the development of personal coping resources.”

Although painful, it is necessary to experience grief

Leide Batista, a renowned psychologist, highlights that reliving aspects of the past, such as interacting with deceased people through artificial intelligence, can have negative consequences for emotional health.

According to her, intensely remembering people who are no longer with us does not contribute in a beneficial way to the grieving process.

Instead of seeking artificial interactions with the dead, Leide Batista recommends that people in mourning seek emotional support from more appropriate resources. These would be the support of family members, friends and help from specialized professionals.

These sources of support can help with the expression and processing of emotions, offer comfort and guidance, and provide a safe environment for the individual to rebuild themselves emotionally.

In short, artificial intelligence has remarkable potential and can bring countless benefits to society in several areas. However, it is essential to recognize that the growing invasion of AI in fields that require the presence and expertise human raises significant concerns.

This is not exactly the fault of AI, but how humans increasingly seek alternatives to avoid dealing with reality and its complexities.