China's bereaved turn to AI for digital resurrections of loved ones

In a poignant display of grief and technological ambition, Chinese parents are embracing AI to recreate digital replicas of their departed loved ones.

Seakoo Wu, mourning the loss of his son Xuanmo, envisions a future where his son’s lifelike avatar exists in the virtual realm, a testament to the growing trend in China’s AI-driven bereavement support.

Seakoo Wu, along with his wife, turned to cutting-edge AI technology after the sudden demise of their 22-year-old son Xuanmo.

Armed with photos, videos, and audio recordings, Wu invested thousands of dollars in AI firms to clone Xuanmo’s face and voice.

The results, though rudimentary, mark a profound intersection of grief and artificial intelligence.

The burgeoning industry in China is witnessing the emergence of companies specializing in “ghost bots.”

Super Brain, led by Zhang Zewei, claims China’s leadership in AI technology positions them at the forefront of meeting the emotional needs of a vast population.

Services range from basic avatars to digitally overlaid video calls, allowing clients to interact with AI replicas of their lost loved ones.

The ethical implications of this AI-driven bereavement support are under scrutiny. Sima Huapeng, founder of Silicon Intelligence, sees this as a catalyst for a “new kind of humanism,” akin to historical practices of portraiture and photography. However, experts like Tal Morse stress the need for more research to understand the psychological and ethical dimensions of these “ghost bots.”

While proponents argue that such technology brings comfort, skeptics raise concerns about the fidelity of AI replicas to the original personality and the potential contamination of memories.

Nate Sharadin, a philosopher at the University of Hong Kong, emphasizes the need for consent, raising ethical questions about the limits of using digital replicas of the deceased.

Zhang Zewei acknowledges the dual nature of this technology but asserts its positive impact on those in need. He maintains that as long as the technology serves a supportive purpose, it remains a beneficial tool for coping with loss.

For Seakoo Wu, the grieving father, the pursuit of a digital resurrection is an evolving journey.

As he envisions a future where his son’s avatar exists in the metaverse, he believes that advancements in technology will inevitably bring solace to those grappling with the pain of loss.