When James Vlahos learned his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2016, he was heartbroken. Living in Oakland, California, James cherished his father deeply and struggled with the impending loss.
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| James says the chatbot doesn't let his father's memories fade. |
Determined to make the most of their remaining time together, James spent countless hours recording his father's life stories. Simultaneously, James was beginning his career in artificial intelligence (AI). Inspired by his recordings, he wondered, "What if I could make something interactive out of all this?"
AI and the Afterlife: Preserving Loved Ones with Artificial Intelligence
James aimed to preserve his father's memories and personality in a unique way. By 2017, the year his father John passed away, James had transformed his recordings into an AI chatbot that could answer questions about his father's life, using his own voice.
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| James Vlahos spent hours recording his father's memories. |
For years, science fiction has depicted AI as a means to keep people "alive" artificially. Today, advancements in technology make this a reality.
In 2019, James developed an AI app called 'Hereafter AI,' which allows users to keep their loved ones' memories alive through an AI chatbot. Although the chatbot can't remove the grief of losing his father, it helps keep his memories vivid. "I have this amazing interactive compendium that I can talk to," James says.
Users of the Hereafter AI app can also upload photos of their loved ones, which appear on their smartphones or computer screens while using the app.
Some companies have pushed this concept further with AI chatbots. DeepBrain AI, a South Korean company, can replicate a person's face, voice, and mannerisms through extensive video and audio recordings. Michael Jung, DeepBrain's Chief Financial Officer, claims their AI can clone a person with a 96.5 percent match, and most users don't feel uncomfortable interacting with an AI avatar of their deceased relative.
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| DeepBrain can clone any person with 96.5% similarity. |
DeepBrain envisions a future where people prepare for their own deaths by leaving behind a "living legacy" of family history, stories, and memories. However, this technology comes at a high cost, with customers paying up to $50,000 (£39,000) for the filming process and the creation of their chosen clones. Despite the expense, investors believe in its potential, as evidenced by DeepBrain raising $44 million in its latest funding round.
Psychologist Laverne Antrobus advises caution when using such technology during emotionally challenging times. Hearing the voice of a deceased loved one through an AI might be unsettling for some. Antrobus suggests that people should not rush to use a chatbot for a loved one, as everyone's grieving process is different.
Another challenge after a loved one’s death is dealing with paperwork. Eleanor Wood, from South Devon, experienced this firsthand when her husband Stephen passed away at 41. She had to contact over two dozen companies to close his accounts, finding the process emotionally taxing. Some companies were helpful, while others were frustratingly incompetent.
To alleviate such burdens, the UK-based online platform Settld connects bereaved individuals with private sector organizations. Users upload required documents and a list of companies to be contacted. Settld then sends emails to these organizations, and users can log in to track progress. The platform collaborates with 950 institutions, including banks, social media firms, and utility companies.
Vicky Wilson, who co-founded Settld in 2020 after her grandmother's death, believes technology can significantly reduce the burden on grieving individuals. In the UK, closing accounts and handling related paperwork can take around 300 hours, but Wilson estimates that 70% of this work can be automated.
The value of the 'death tech' sector, according to TechRound, has reached £100 billion. David Soffer, Editor-in-Chief of TechRound, notes that the coronavirus pandemic accelerated the sector's growth. Covid-19 highlighted the importance of life and prompted more open conversations about death, leading to greater acceptance of technology in managing grief.
Soffer emphasizes the deeper purpose of technology: "It's good to use technology to solve technical problems, but the real purpose is to solve non-technical problems, such as helping people cope with grief."
However, Antrobus believes technology cannot replace the traditional aspects of coping with grief. "I can't imagine that technology can replace the traditional aspects of coping with grief that make you feel close to people or cared about."
For more insights on AI and its transformative potential, explore our blog and join the conversation.
Reference | Source
Original Article was published in BBC Urdu
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