AI Recreates Interactive Dead Relatives and Friends

[FlyersFan]

New AI App .... 

A company takes pictures of your dead relatives or friends, makes them come 'alive', and interjects AI with loaded shared memories and I would assume some sort of personality.   You go to the app and talk to the dead relative or friend as if they were alive.

I can understand the attraction, but I'm thinking this really is NOT a mentally healthy thing to do.   It's not really them.   It interferes with the grief process.  No matter how painful the grief process is, it's something that needs to be worked through.

Story Here

A new AI company has sparked controversy online after launching an app that enables users to create interactive digital avatars of deceased family members.
 The Los Angeles–based startup, 2Wai, went viral when co-founder Calum Worthy released a promotional video showing how the technology works.
 
The clip features a pregnant woman speaking to an AI recreation of her late mother through her phone.  It then jumps forward 10 months, showing the AI “grandma” reading a bedtime story to the baby.  Later, the child, now a young boy, talks casually with the avatar while walking home from school.  The video ends with the grown son telling the digital grandmother that she is about to become a great-grandmother. 

[David64]

What about people who had a bad childhood ?  Maybe they think it gives them some kind of closure ?

Edit - Sorry. That got a little dark.

[FlyersFan]

What about people who had a bad childhood ?  Maybe they think it gives them some kind of closure ?

Maybe.
But it's still not real.
They can yell at an AI parent.
'Get it all out'.
But it's still just the phone listening.
It's not really the parent.

[putnam6]

New AI App .... 

A company takes pictures of your dead relatives or friends, makes them come 'alive', and interjects AI with loaded shared memories and I would assume some sort of personality.   You go to the app and talk to the dead relative or friend as if they were alive.

I can understand the attraction, but I'm thinking this really is NOT a mentally healthy thing to do.   It's not really them.   It interferes with the grief process.  No matter how painful the grief process is, it's something that needs to be worked through.

Story Here

Well-adjusted persons and those with proper coping skills shouldn't have this issue. 

Ran an old family photo through an earlier version where it added motion, and it was pretty cool thinking of using it on some still images for ads and posts if it's not too expensive it's eye-catching as hell

 It was enough to trigger some sentimental and nostalgic feelings, briefly, but im not a dwell on the past kind of guy. Never have been 

I miss my Dad my grandmothers my cousin and a few friends but I have my faith and belief too.

[RandomLurker]

Agree fully.  People need to understand this is not their loved one they're communicating with.

Wonder what the business model is, do apps like this have fees as well?  Or is it about gathering personal and family info i.e. social media?

[andy06shake]

There are obvious moral and possibly psychological implications to consider.

But if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, there may be some solace to be had.

Who wouldn’t wish to be able to talk to those who have passed away sometimes.

Even if it's only a semblance of what once was.

[quintessentone]

New AI App .... 

A company takes pictures of your dead relatives or friends, makes them come 'alive', and interjects AI with loaded shared memories and I would assume some sort of personality.   You go to the app and talk to the dead relative or friend as if they were alive.

I can understand the attraction, but I'm thinking this really is NOT a mentally healthy thing to do.   It's not really them.   It interferes with the grief process.  No matter how painful the grief process is, it's something that needs to be worked through.

Story Here

I suppose it depends on which stage of grief/trauma/mental state a person has achieved or is stagnating in as to whether or not this app offers benefits or more damage without counselling.

"The five stages of grief by Elisabeth Kübler-RossTrusted Source are:

1. denial
   
2. anger
   
3. bargaining
   
4. depression
   
5. acceptance"
   

How Long Does Grief Last? Timelines, Symptoms, and Getting Help

[GENERAL EYES]

AI couldn't replace my Stepdad who passed away recently. 

It will certainly lack the intelligence, humor, values, wisdom and personality of the man.

He was one of a kind.

He passed after six years of Early Onset Dementia two months ago, and I think such an AI "concept" is an insult to both the Deceased and the Survivors.



I'm sure it means well, but to me it's an abomination.

[FlyersFan]

AI couldn't replace my Stepdad who passed away recently.  It lacks the intelligence, humor, values and personality of the man.

Yeah, I would imagine it would be hard to recreate a personality ... all the nuances and everything.    I suppose you could program AI to be 'cheery' or 'cranky' or 'loving' or whatever .... but I would imagine it would still be flat compared to the original.

[DontTreadOnMe]

New AI App .... 

A company takes pictures of your dead relatives or friends, makes them come 'alive', and interjects AI with loaded shared memories and I would assume some sort of personality.   You go to the app and talk to the dead relative or friend as if they were alive.

That's just creepy.
I had a relative send me a message from the beyond.   I'll stick with that.