Chinese tech executive Sun Kai finds solace in conversing with a digital avatar of his deceased mother, created by Silicon Intelligence, a Nanjing-based company specializing in AI chatbots. Sun, who regards the avatar as his mother, believes it provides him with the perfect confidant. This emerging trend of creating AI clones of deceased individuals is gaining traction, with companies like Baidu and OpenAI investing in powerful chatbots that can mimic a person’s likeness and voice.
The concept of digitally cloning deceased individuals is no longer confined to the realm of science fiction. Thanks to advancements in AI technology and substantial computing power, private companies are now able to offer affordable digital “clones” that aim to mainstream relationships with AI-generated entities. These avatars not only offer companionship but also cater to families in mourning, providing a digital likeness of their lost loved ones, a service referred to as “resurrection” by Silicon Intelligence.
However, the rise of AI simulations of the deceased, also known as “deadbots,” raises ethical questions about the simulation of human beings, both alive and dead. While companies like Microsoft and OpenAI have established internal committees to evaluate the behavior and ethics of their generative AI services, there is currently no centralized regulatory body in the United States or China overseeing the impact of these technologies or their use of personal data.
One of the challenges faced by companies offering digital cloning services is the scarcity of usable data. To create a lifelike avatar, substantial amounts of data are required, including a person’s thoughts and daily experiences. Companies like Super Brain and Silicon Intelligence rely on clients’ descriptions of foundational memories and important experiences to power their AI avatars’ conversations. However, the lack of high-quality audio and video data often hampers the process, especially when someone unexpectedly passes away, leaving behind few records.
In China, Fu Shou Yuan International Group, a company specializing in cemetery services, aims to use generative AI to overcome the cultural taboo surrounding death. By digitizing cemeteries and allowing visitors to access multimedia records of the deceased’s life experiences and achievements through QR codes, the company hopes to integrate the physical and spiritual aspects of mourning. However, the acceptance of these digital avatars remains a subject of debate, with ethical concerns surrounding their use.
While Chinese companies are not the first to explore recreating digital simulations of deceased individuals, the potential emotional harm caused by lifelike AI clones is a significant concern. Ethicists warn of addiction and the replacement of real-life experiences, potentially diminishing the grief associated with death. However, proponents argue that these avatars can provide comfort and preserve the thoughts of loved ones.
Despite the growing popularity of digital avatars, it is essential to recognize that they are not a substitute for human life. Individuals like Sun Kai and Yang Lei, who created a digital avatar of his deceased uncle to comfort his grandmother, acknowledge the limitations of AI clones. They emphasize that these avatars are a means to preserve thoughts and memories, rather than a replacement for human existence.