Digital immortality: an “Afterlife” in the cloud that (perhaps) is only good for the living

Immortality, once the exclusive domain of deities and myths, is now taking on some kind of tangible form in the digital age. This new incarnation, digital immortality, is not a true extension of existence but a surrogate for those who remain. The digital replicas created by artificial intelligence are not a “resurrection,” but more of a bridge between the living and the memories of those who have passed. A form of consolation, if you will, that allows survivors to interact with simulated versions of their loved ones, exploring new dimensions of mourning and remembrance. Once again, “Black Mirror” was prophetic.

The birth of digital immortality

The idea of ​​digital immortality arose from the evolution of AI and the growing ability to store and analyze massive amounts of personal data. In this context, the possibility of creating digital replicas of missing individuals using their messages, videos, voice recordings and other data has developed. These replicas, powered by machine learning algorithms, can mimic behavior patterns and communication styles. Even personal opinions. With what level of detail? It depends on the amount and quality of information given to the artificial intelligence.

Technology and mourning: ethical and philosophical implications

As you might imagine, the creation of these digital replicas raises significant ethical and philosophical questions. On the one hand, it offers survivors a way to maintain a connection with their lost loved ones, but on the other it raises questions about the nature of identity and existence. What does the fact that we can "talk" to a digital version of a deceased person change in our perception of life and death? Can these replicas truly capture the essence of a person, or are they simply superficial simulacra?

Digital immortality technology has the potential to transform the way we grieve. Instead of a final goodbye, survivors may have the chance to interact with a digital version of the deceased. A surrogate who can offer comfort and help in the grieving process. However, this confuses and enormously complicates the process of accepting the loss, creating a dependence on a virtual presence that prevents emotional detachment.

The first cases of digital "immortals".

The various examples of "replicas" already created already make us reflect on the nuances and implications of this technology.

Eugenia Kuyda and Roman Mazurenko

In 2015 (just 2 years later "Come back to me", the “Black Mirror” episode that opens up this possibility) Eugenia Kuyda created a digital version of her deceased friend, Roman Mazurenko. She did this by using her text messages to train an artificial intelligence. While she didn't fully capture the essence of Roman, this bot provided a sense of presence and comfort to her friends and family. The bot allowed them to interact with a simulated version of their loved one, offering (they said) a way to grieve and remember.

James Vlahos and the 'Dadbot'

In 2017, James Vlahos created a digital replica of his father based on hours of voice recordings and conversations. This bot, nicknamed "Dadbot", allowed Vlahos and his family to "talk" to his father even after his death. While the Dadbot obviously couldn't completely replace the father's presence, it offered a unique way to preserve his memory and maintain a sense of connection.

Jang Ji-sung and Nayeon

In 2020, in a currently unique case, Jang Ji-sung, a grieving mother, had the opportunity to “meet” her daughter Nayeon who passed away due to illness, in a virtual reality environment. This experience, created for a South Korean television documentary, used VR technology to create an interactive simulation of Nayeon. Although this experience was highly scripted and controlled, it offered Jang a moment of emotional connection with her daughter's portrayal, demonstrating the potential of VR technology in creating immersive and meaningful experiences in the context of grief. And it inspired “Yonder”, a recent Korean TV series broadcast in Italy by Paramount Plus. We talked about it in this article of the case of Jan Ji-sung and his daughter Nayeon.

Joshua Barbeau and Jessica Pereira

In 2021 Joshua Barbeau used GPT-3 artificial intelligence to recreate his late girlfriend, Jessica Pereira. He created a chatbot that mimicked Jessica's personality and communication style, allowing him to have conversations that provided comfort and help in the grieving process. We talked about it in this article.

These cases highlight how digital replicas can be used in different ways. Apart from a few "cracks" (which should give us pause), they all seem to have offered survivors a way to maintain a connection with their missing loved ones and to process their grief in a unique and personal way.

Digital immortality: future prospects

In the context of the "digitalization of immortality", future perspectives are projected towards an increasingly advanced technological horizon integrated into our daily lives. A key aspect of this evolution is the growing role of wearable technology and multiple sensors. It's a trend that is revolutionizing the way we interact with the digital world.

Wearable technology, such as smartwatches, fitness bracelets and even smart clothing, is becoming increasingly sophisticated. These devices not only track our physical movements but are also capable of monitoring vital signs. Which? Your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and even your sleep patterns. Furthermore, the proliferation of environmental and personal sensors, capable of collecting real-time data on our behavior, facial expressions and body language, opens new frontiers in the creation of digital replicas. This abundance of personal and behavioral data, collected continuously and in detail, offers enormous potential for improving the quality and authenticity of digital replicas. We imagine a future where every nuance of the way we speak, move, react and even think can be captured and analyzed. This would not only allow us to create more realistic and convincing digital replicas but also to personalize them more accurately, faithfully reflecting the personality and peculiarities of each individual.

In the long run

with the advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, these replicas could not only imitate past behavior but also evolve autonomously, continuously learning from new data collected. This would mean that a digital replica could, in theory, continue to develop and change over time, just as a real person would. Without, however, being a real person.

Conclusion

Digital immortality represents a significant step in the evolution of technology and society. While it offers new possibilities for remembrance and mourning, it also challenges us to reflect on the meaning of life, death and identity in the digital age. As with any emerging technology, it will be critical to navigate this territory carefully. Above all, consider the long-term implications for individuals and society as a whole.

For example, the collection and use of such personal and detailed data must be carefully regulated to protect people's privacy and dignity. Furthermore, the possibility of creating increasingly realistic digital replicas raises questions about their social acceptance, their emotional and psychological impact on the living and the legal and moral implications of their existence. It will serve to remind us that the loved ones with whom we have shared so many years of our lives are unique, unrepeatable. And that speaking with "copies", however precise, is only a palliative that must be managed in different ways and cases, or it risks becoming dangerous for the psyche and the soul.