Talking to AI Ghosts of the Dead is Becoming More Common

Generative AI Griefbots and Digital Avatars in Modern Mourning

Advances in generative artificial intelligence give users the ability to preserve more than just photographs or memorial sites. People now build “generative ghosts”—AI-driven characters based on the traits, personalities, and memories of deceased family members. While some individuals, like 25-year-old student Jack Manning, reject the technology due to a lack of prior consent and a desire to keep unskewed personal memories of his late sister, others actively embrace the software.

Preserving Family Connections Before Loss

Facing terminal illness drives some relatives to build digital replicas with explicit permission. Justin Harrison, founder of the company You, Only Personal (YOV), designed a personalized interactive bot named Versona after his mother received a terminal cancer diagnosis. Harrison wanted to secure a lasting connection and alleviate the regret of not speaking often enough. According to Harrison, his mother helped build the griefbot before her death, allowing him to interact with a digital likeness that removes the daily guilt of busy schedules.

Psychological Risks and Criticism of AI Grief Tools

Mental health professionals argue that interacting with AI griefbots bypasses healthy emotional recovery. According to grief counselor Robin Silver, these conversational tools offer an “unnatural way to deal with a natural process.” Clinical psychologist Dan Wolfson adds that such applications isolate individuals at moments when community backing proves essential. Wolfson notes that relying on artificial intelligence threatens the acquisition of vital social support necessary for long-term psychological healing after a loss.

Public Figures and AI-Generated Memorial Content

Following the passing of singer Dolly Parton, an AI-generated music video titled Run Jolene circulated online, depicting an animated Parton chasing a red-haired character through heaven. While supporters viewed the clip as a form of poetic justice referencing Parton’s 1973 hit song Jolene, critics flagged the output as disrespectful AI ballast. In response to these unauthorized creations, Parton’s family publicly urged fans to stop producing such content.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a griefbot?

A griefbot is an interactive artificial intelligence program designed to simulate the personality, voice, and conversational style of a deceased person based on their pre-existing data and traits.

Do psychologists support using AI for grief?

No. According to grief counselor Robin Silver and clinical psychologist Dan Wolfson, these tools represent an unnatural coping mechanism that can isolate users from vital community support systems during bereavement.

Can anyone create an AI avatar of a dead person?

While technology platforms allow users to build custom interactive bots, experts and family members emphasize ethical concerns regarding consent, privacy, and the unauthorized use of a deceased individual’s likeness.

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