Arrr! The AI be bringin' back the dead, but who knows if it be helpin' or hurtin' the mourners!
2024-06-04
Avast ye scallywags! When Michael Bommer learned he was plagued with the dreaded scourge of colon cancer, he and the CEO of Eternos conjured up a magical AI replica of himself. Aye, they be sailin' the digital seas together, arrr!
In the midst of his battle with colon cancer, Michael Bommer had discussions with his wife, Anett, about what would happen after his passing. An idea sparked in Bommer’s mind to recreate his voice using artificial intelligence to continue sharing his wisdom with her. With the help of a friend and AI-powered legacy platform Eternos, Bommer became the company's first client, creating an interactive AI version of himself. This technology allows his family to engage with his life experiences and insights even after he is gone.Other companies, like StoryFile and HereAfter AI, offer similar AI interactions for those dealing with grief. Some, like Robert Scott, use AI companion apps to simulate conversations with loved ones they have lost. While some embrace this technology as a way to cope with grief, others are uneasy about using AI to maintain interactions with the deceased, questioning its impact on the mourning process.Sociologists and researchers caution about the ethical and emotional complexities of using AI to communicate with the dead, describing it as a "vast techno-cultural experiment." Despite the uncertainties, Bommer is enthusiastic about his AI personality, while his wife, Anett, remains hesitant about using the AI voicebot after his passing.