Berlin-based Michael Bommer, who is battling terminal colon cancer, is exploring a unique way to preserve his wisdom and personality for his loved ones after his passing. He has partnered with a friend in the U.S. to create an AI version of himself using Eternos, a platform that specializes in AI-powered legacies. This technology allows Bommer’s family to interact with his life experiences and insights even after he’s no longer physically present. The emergence of companies like Eternos reflects a growing trend in the field of grief-related AI technology, where individuals can create virtual versions of themselves or loved ones to maintain a connection beyond death.
While some people find solace in using AI technology to cope with grief, others express concerns about the ethical implications and potential consequences of such tools. Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basinska, a researcher at the University of Cambridge, highlights the lack of understanding around the long-term effects of digital simulations for the deceased. She views the integration of caring for the dead with capitalist market practices as a significant development in humanity’s quest for immortality. Bommer, however, asserts that his decision to create a chatbot of himself is not driven by a desire for immortality, as he believes a written memoir would be a more enduring legacy. As he nears the end of his life, he remains curious about what awaits him on the other side.
In the United States, Robert Scott utilizes AI companion apps to simulate conversations with characters based on his deceased daughters, providing a sense of connection and solace in his grief. Sociologist Matthias Meitzler suggests that AI technologies can complement traditional ways of remembering loved ones, such as visiting graves or reflecting on memories. However, the use of AI to maintain post-mortem interactions raises complex questions about privacy, dignity, and consent for the deceased. Tomasz Hollanek emphasizes the need for ethical considerations and guidelines to address these issues and ensure the respectful use of AI technology in grief support.
The AI version of Bommer, developed by Eternos, leverages advanced language models to capture his voice and personality traits. CEO Robert LoCascio explains the process of training the AI system with an individual’s phrases and preferences to create a lifelike virtual persona. The legal rights to the AI belong to the person it is trained on, allowing them to pass it down as an asset to family members. As Bommer fine-tunes his AI voice with emotional nuances, he envisions a future where his family can interact with an avatar of his virtual self in a virtual room. While Bommer eagerly anticipates the evolution of his AI personality, his wife Anett expresses reservations about using the software posthumously, preferring to cherish memories in her own way.
As the field of grief-related AI technology continues to evolve, companies like StoryFile face challenges related to business sustainability and ensuring access to user data in cases of bankruptcy. StoryFile CEO James Fong acknowledges the need for fail-safe measures to preserve user content and remains optimistic about the company’s future despite financial constraints. Overall, the growing interest in AI tools for grief support reflects a shift in how individuals navigate loss and preserve connections with deceased loved ones in a rapidly advancing technological landscape.
