In the current era of technological advancement, we have witnessed a new phenomenon emerge in the post-mortem industry. These are referred to as “deadbots,” created using Generative AI to create intangible replicas of deceased individuals. The ultimate goal is to transcend the biological limitations of the body and offer services such as sending posthumous emails or creating deepfake representations of loved ones for those contemplating their eventual death.
Whether it’s a private initiative or commercial endeavor, the primary mission of deadbots is to trace the digital footprints of the deceased to create a synthetic identity for their clone. The virtual twin of the deceased is formed using data and language patterns from social networks and an algorithm that simulates their personality traits. This cyber spectrum is then packaged into a realistic 3D avatar that can recall anecdotes and chat via video chat.
However, this trend raises ethical dilemmas and concerns about privacy and data protection. Many companies that create these robots operate without regulation, which puts at risk misinformation or an inaccurate representation of the deceased individual. Additionally, research suggests that deadbots could have detrimental effects on mental health, especially among minors. Technical weaknesses in deadbot services have been identified, such as reminders for subscription renewals causing emotional distress.
Despite these challenges, some see deadbots as a step towards immortality. This raises important questions about ethical development in AI systems used for resurrection services. As technology continues to evolve beyond logical boundaries, there are concerns about accuracy and representation of deceased individuals through deadbots.
In conclusion, while deadbots may offer comfort initially, they could lead to boredom or prevent individuals from moving on from their loss if not developed ethically. The importance of safeguarding digital records for those facing loss cannot be overstated, along with protecting privacy and data protection when creating these robotic clones.
