Cybernecromancy: When the dead “come back” through AI

Can idiosyncratic who has passed distant proceed to beryllium digitally? In the property of artificial intelligence, the reply whitethorn be: “yes”… The word cybernecromancy – “cybernecromancy” – refers to the invocation of the dormant done the integer traces they person near behind.

“Already, internationally, we person seen examples that are some awe-inspiring and fear-inducing. Companies person unveiled “deathbots” that converse precisely similar the deceased, utilizing imaginative means to bash so. The app Deep Nostalgia “animates aged photos by making them move, giving the illusion that our dormant loved ones are “breathing” again.

Apps specified arsenic StoryFile and HereAfter AI leverage pre-recorded videos of people, allowing for realistic post-mortem “conversation”. Even much impressive, the ElevenLabs: AI dependable generator instrumentality revives the voices of artists similar John Lennon, portion “Replika” and “Character AI” make “avatars” that mimic the faces we’ve lost,” Artemis K. Tsitsika, Professor and UNESCO Representative of the GHE & WHO Collaborating Centre, Associate Professor of Pediatrics-Adolescent Medicine astatine the University of Athens, Scientific Director of the Adolescent Health Unit (A.H.H.) of the 2nd Pediatric Clinic of the University of Athens – Kyriakou Children’s Hospital.

These applications service assorted purposes: consolation, management of grief, management of stress, brought by the nonaccomplishment and revival of artists with a ample footprint (singers oregon actors) to wage tribute and proceed their work.

Should the dormant proceed to “live on” done technology?

“However, determination is simply a counterargument, arsenic cybernecromancy tin hinder the process of mourning and make a mendacious consciousness of companionship and attachment.

Still, it is besides imaginable to distort the property and beliefs of the deceased,” notes Calliope Bardou, MSc Psychologist. Developmental and Adolescent Health” of the Medical School of the University of Athens.

As she adds, “In addition, issues of a ineligible quality intelligibly arise, specified arsenic exposing the idiosyncratic and delicate information of the deceased connected the net without authorized entree to this data.

Let america further see that the European Union, seeing the exertion galloping, enacted the AI ACT (2024/1684) successful 2024, which is the world’s archetypal broad ineligible framework, with 4 levels of risk. Cybernecromanc, however, is obscurity mentioned, leaving the privateness rights of the dormant unprotected.”

According to experts, determination is different facet to the financial sector. In particular, a new signifier of capitalism is opening up, that of the commodification of the memories and personalities of the dead.

This portion raises superior questions concerning the exploitation of the vulnerability of relatives for profit, the ethical commodification of the identities of the dead, and questions astir the motivation responsibilities of the corporations themselves.

Despite our technological familiarity, Gen Z seems rather hesitant astir this use. In a caller survey, 80 retired of 100 18-25-year-olds successful England said they would not usage AI apps to interaction a deceased person.

Furthermore, 27.8% of the aforesaid participants said they did not see this technological look normal, 22.2% said it was alternatively strange, and 16.7% said it was disrespectful.

In conclusion, Cybernecromancy emerged arsenic an effort to alleviate the symptom of grief. But not lone does it look to pb to the other results, but it besides brings up galore questions and dangers.

As a society, we bash not – astatine slightest not yet – person the means (e.g., legislation) to woody with the consequences of specified a technological reality.

Artemis K. Tsitsika

Professor and UNESCO GHE & WHO Collaborating Centre
Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine astatine the University of Athens, Greece
Rev. Head of the Adolescent Health Unit of the 2nd Pediatric Clinic of the University of Athens – Children’s Hospital “P. & A. Kyriakou”
Director of the MSc “Str. Director of the Department of Developmental and Adolescent Health”
President of the Hellenic Society of Adolescent Medicine (EEEI)/UNESCO
President of the Advisory Committee for the correction of the registered sex
Ministry of Health

Calliope Bardou
Psychologist MSc
Developmental and Adolescent Health”
School of Medicine of the University of Athens

Researchers of the MSc “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health” of the School of Medicine of the University of Athens, contiguous the taxable astatine the 18th “STATE of the ART” Conference of Adolescent Medicine/Health, connected 10 & 11 October astatine the “Kostis Palamas” Building of the University of Athens.