No One Is Ready for Digital Immortality
Do you want to live forever as a chatbot?
As people prepare for their end-of-life, they must consider the new dilemma of digital immortality. Hany Farid, an AI expert at UC Berkeley, recently discussed with his wife the possibility of digitally resurrecting him as an AI clone if he dies first. His wife could train a large language model using his voice, likeness, and writings to create an interactive version of him.
The concept of deathbots has gained traction, allowing people to interact with digital versions of their deceased loved ones. This can be achieved by uploading voicemails or text messages to AI audio programs or training chatbots off a dead person’s emails or texts. Companies like HereAfter AI and StoryFile specialize in creating these “deathbots.”
However, this raises concerns about the ethics and implications of digital immortality. Grieving the death of a loved one can become complicated when their digital presence remains forever. Some people may choose to opt out of digital immortality entirely and issue a digital “do not resuscitate” instruction.
The legal aspects of deathbots are also unclear, as there is no standard policy across the industry. AI ethicists from University of Cambridge’s Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence have warned that the industry is “high risk” due to its potential for harm. For instance, a deathbot could continue sending messages or reminders to interact with it.
As people get their affairs in order, they should consider the possibility of deathbots and make decisions accordingly. Some wills already include instructions for social-media profiles, emails, and password-protected cellphones; language about AI could be next. Perhaps you might set specific guidelines for how your digital remains can be repurposed for a deathbot or issue a digital “do not resuscitate” instruction.
The future of deathbots is uncertain, but it’s likely that they will become a normal part of the grieving process. As technology advances, we may see new AI laws to regulate the use of deathbots. For now, older adults are caught in the tricky position of having to make decisions based on deathbot technology as it exists today, despite the potential long-term consequences.
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/07/ai-clone-chatbot-end-of-life-planning/679297/