Grief in the age of AI: Griefbots and online death spaces
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5931/djim.v19i1.12430Abstract
This paper explores how grief is intertwined within artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital areas. It examines concepts such as the griefbot, an AI used to provide communication between the deceased and the bereaved, digital online memorial spaces to commemorate those who have passed, and digital immortality. While griefbots provide comfort to those who have lost a loved one, questions surrounding ethics of use, such as obtaining the consent of the deceased, using the deceased’s data, and respecting their privacy, remain relevant. The digital afterlife industry, which includes online memorials, puts into question several societal challenges. These challenges can lead to debates over who “deserves” the most to have access data and digital spaces. Capitalism and digital immortality may reveal power dynamics with the deceased. For instance, business leaders and public figures may leave behind a digital legacy to continue to wield authority beyond the life of their physical bodies. As societies continue to merge aspects of human lives (and deaths) into the digital world, we must address issues of consent, privacy, and equitable access. Grieving and remembrance must not be lost in the digital age.
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