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Spooky Science Series: #2 Speaking with dead people
- Lit Lab London
- Oct 13, 2024
- 3 min read
Welcome to this month's Halloween-themed science blog!
It's Halloween season, so throughout October, we thought we'd introduce you to a world where science and scares collide!
From creepy crawlies to ghostly phenomena, we'll explore the science that fuels our Halloween nightmares, right here. Check back each week during October to be terrified and tantalised!
#2 A Generative AI Haunting
As Halloween approaches, we often ponder the macabre and the mysterious. But can you imagine a world where the dead continue to live on, not as ghosts, but as digital avatars?
Well, thanks to advancements in generative artificial intelligence, this is becoming a reality. Welcome to the digital afterlife industry.
The Rise of Griefbots and Deadbots
At the forefront of the emerging the digital afterlife industry are griefbots and deadbots. These are AI-powered chatbots that allow two-way communication between mourners and a digital version of the dead.
Though currently at an experimental stage, these algorithms could be trained by analysing the deceased’s personal data, social media posts, emails and even genetic information, to learn to communicate and interact with their loved ones, continue creative projects, or even maintain a presence in the metaverse in a way that feels eerily authentic. For example, a griefbot might be able to respond to messages, share memories, or even offer comfort and support.
But this digital immortality comes with a hefty price tag – both literally and ethically.
What happens when AI imitates the dead and dying
A recent paper by experts in how digital technologies (re)shape our understanding of death, grief, and afterlife presence, delves into the ethical implications of creating AI-powered simulations of the deceased.
One of the concerns they raise is about the nature of identity and consciousness. Can an AI truly embody the essence of a person? If a deadbot becomes increasingly sophisticated, could it be considered a form of digital consciousness? These are profound philosophical questions that must be carefully considered as the digital afterlife industry evolves.
The paper’s authors, Hollanek and Nowaczyk-Basińska, point out that deadbots have the potential to be exploited.
“What truly sets this era apart” says Nowaczyk-Basinska, “and is even unprecedented in the long history of humanity’s quest for immortality — is that, for the first time, the processes of caring for the dead and immortalization practices are fully integrated into the capitalist market,”
Companies are already offering services, charging thousands of dollars for the privilege of living on in the cloud. Should companies profit from the digital personas of the deceased? Can a person truly consent to their digital existence after death? What happens if their wishes change over time? And who has the authority to decide what happens to their digital avatar?
Then there's the issue of emotional well-being. While post-mortem avatars might offer comfort to grieving loved ones, there's also the risk of creating unrealistic expectations about the nature of death, and an unhealthy attachment to the digital version of the deceased. A digital replica cannot fully capture the complexity of a human being, and relying too heavily on technology could hinder the grieving process.
Not least, how can we ensure that these technologies are used responsibly and ethically? As with any AI-generated content, there’s a risk that it becomes indistinguishable from human-generated content and could be used to spread misinformation, manipulate people, or even commit crimes. This raises the spectre of a digital haunting, where the dead could be weaponised for malicious purposes.
Researchers like Hollanek and Nowaczyk-Basińska are calling for greater transparency and accountability in the digital afterlife industry. They argue that it's crucial to develop guidelines and regulations that protect the rights of the deceased and their loved ones.
So, this Halloween, as you ponder the mysteries of life and death, take a moment to think about the digital afterlife. It may be a spooky concept, but it's a reality that is rapidly approaching.
Source:
Tomasz Hollanek and Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska (2024). Griefbots, Deadbots, Postmortem Avatars: on Responsible Applications of Generative AI in the Digital Afterlife Industry. Philosophy & technology, 37(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-024-00744-w.
Join us on Thursday 31 October at the Lit Lab Science and Sip: Halloween Special. You bring the curiosity, we’ll bring the vibes this Halloween. Limited tickets now out on Eventbrite! Book now below
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