Digital Resurrection: The Ethical Dilemma of Recreating the Deceased

This newsletter article is difficult for me. 

Two days ago, my dad passed away. It was not a surprise but it is still a big loss. 

It made me think. 

About a lot of things. 

And one particular thought is about how much life has changed in the last years through technology but at the same time, most of the “getting older” is still challenging, painful and sad. 

Reflection

So, I decided to reflect on a particular aspect in this newsletter which will be more and more relevant in discussions when we deal with losses. 

In the quiet moments following loss, when the world seems to pause and memories flood our senses, technology now offers a startling proposition: the chance to hear, see, and interact with those who have passed on. This concept of digital resurrection, powered by advanced generative AI, presents a complex tapestry of ethical, emotional, and philosophical questions that demand our careful consideration.

Fake and Deep Fake

I wrote before about the challenges of fakes and deep-fakes. And somehow, this is not that different as we are creating a digital persona of someone. Only now, this person is no longer with us. 

So, it's crucial to approach the subject with reverence and thoughtfulness. The ability to recreate the essence of a departed loved one—their voice, their mannerisms, their thoughts—is no longer confined to the realm of science fiction. It's a reality that's unfolding before us, bringing with it a profound responsibility to navigate its implications with wisdom and care.

How do we grief?

Consider the depth of human grief and the natural process of mourning. These are fundamental experiences that shape our understanding of life, death, and the preciousness of our relationships. How might the availability of a digital facsimile alter this deeply human journey? Would it offer comfort, or could it potentially hinder the natural progression of grief and acceptance?

I don’t have a firm opinion on this yet. I would probably embed the discussion into a broader conversation about the increasing dependence on virtual - and often artificial -  channels. 

The Technology

But let’s have a brief look at the technology. 

The technology itself is a marvel of human ingenuity. By analyzing vast amounts of data — personal writings, recordings, photographs, and videos — GenAI can now construct a digital persona that mimics the deceased with uncanny accuracy. Voice synthesis can recreate the timbre and cadence of speech. Visual technologies can animate still images, bringing a familiar face back to life on screen. Language models can generate new content in the style and tone of the individual, as if they were still here, sharing their thoughts.

Ethical Questions

But with this capability comes a host of ethical considerations that we must discuss as a society. Who has the right to create such a digital entity? Should it be limited to immediate family, or does society at large have a claim on historical figures? My dad was not a historical figure but a “personal of public interest” in the small town he lived in as a former head of a large school. How do we ensure that these digital recreations truly represent the essence of the person, rather than a selective or idealized version? 

The Finality of Death

Moreover, we must consider the impact on our understanding of mortality and the finality of death. Does the ability to interact with a digital version of a deceased person change the way we view life and its inevitable end? There's a risk that such technology could blur the lines between life and death in ways that might fundamentally alter our human experience. Discussions about this are still very early but they will arrive with force. 

What are the benefits?

Yet, we cannot dismiss the potential benefits. The preservation of wisdom, the continuation of mentorship, the ability for future generations to engage with the thoughts and ideas of those who came before—these are powerful possibilities. Imagine students of history conversing with digital versions of world leaders, or scientists collaborating with the greatest minds of past centuries. Or imagine future teachers and school directors discussing particular challenges with the digital replica of my dad. Whilst a lot of things change in how you operate a school, there is - like in other areas - a lot of wisdom in the experience. 

For those in grief, the technology might offer a form of solace, a way to work through unresolved feelings or to say the goodbyes that were left unsaid. But this comes with its own set of concerns. Could reliance on digital recreation impede the natural process of moving forward? Might it create a form of dependency that keeps one tethered to the past?

What makes us human?

As we contemplate these questions, it's important to remember that technology, no matter how advanced, can never fully replicate the complexity of a human being. The essence of a person—their spontaneity, their ability to grow and change, the ineffable quality of their presence—may always remain beyond the reach of algorithms and data sets.

Together, we need to navigate this new terrain with a measured balance of innovation and ethical consideration. The potential of digital resurrection challenges us to think deeply about what it means to be human, what we value in our relationships, and how we choose to honour and remember those we've lost.

As individuals and as a society, we are called upon to engage in thoughtful dialogue about these issues. We must consider not just what is technologically possible, but what is ethically responsible and emotionally healthy. In doing so, we have the opportunity to shape how this technology is developed and used in a way that respects the dignity of life and the sanctity of death.

In the end, as we face the prospect of digital resurrection, we are reminded of the preciousness of our lived experiences, the irreplaceable nature of human connection, and the profound impact we have on each other's lives. Perhaps in grappling with these questions, we will find new ways to cherish our relationships, honour our departed, and reflect on the legacy we wish to leave behind.

It is complex

My recent experiences really opened my eyes to the complexity of the topic. Technology advancement is almost impossible to slow down or even stop as you can see with the quickly evolving new GenAI models and other technologies. And there is of course a business model which further supports the advancements of such an approach. 

What are your thoughts on this? How should we handle the broader topic of digital replicas and the narrower question about replicas of deceased loved ones? 

Right now, I have more questions than answers. 

Please share your thoughts. 

Until next time. 

Michael 

P.S. This article was partially supported by GenAI (and a new agent I employed).