In an age where technology merges with daily life, a terminally ill IT professional, Michael Bommer, took steps to preserve his essence through a digital twin created by the US start-up Eternos. Bommer’s legacy will continue through an artificial intelligence that can interact with his family, providing comfort beyond his years.
At the age of 61 and battling cancer, Bommer devoted his remaining days to teaching the AI about his life’s memories, knowledge, and mannerisms. His voice became the foundation of the AI, as he meticulously recorded phrases to capture the nuances of his speech. Bombmer tested the AI to ensure it could reflect on his life’s priorities, emphasizing the importance of family and philanthropy.
This development came to be after Bommer informed his friends about his prognosis. An ex-colleague from the USA reached out to him with the innovative concept that Eternos was materializing. This concept was not only a technical feat but a solace to those seeking to cope with loss and loneliness. Bommer’s wife, Annet, finds potential comfort in the AI technology that might mitigate the solitude that accompanies losing a loved one, though she remains mindful of the emotional impact this virtual interaction could have.
The potential for a virtual avatar also exists, with Bommer having prepared video recordings for this purpose. As Germany converses on its digital strategies at the first Digital Ministers Conference with a focus on AI, these advancements suggest a new narrative for how we handle bereavement and remembrance.
The couple cherishes their remaining time together, hosting a “Living Party” where Bommer bid farewell to friends and family, never completely severing the bond with his dear ones thanks to his digital semblance. The digital embodiment of Michael Bommer will endure, emerging as a testament to how life can echo beyond the physical through the thoughtful application of technology.
Creating a digital legacy through technology like AI is a relatively new concept that raises several important questions and presents both challenges and benefits.
Important Questions:
1. What are the ethical implications of creating a digital twin?
2. Can a digital twin truly capture the essence of a person?
3. How is privacy handled in the creation and use of digital legacies?
4. What are the legal rights of a digital twin after the original individual has passed away?
Challenges and Controversies:
– Ethical Concerns: There is significant debate regarding the morality of replicating human consciousness and the psychological impact on the deceased’s relatives, who may struggle with the notion of interacting with a simulation that is not truly their loved one.
– Privacy: Ensuring the privacy and security of the personal data used to create the digital twin is paramount, yet it is challenging – especially given the amount of intimate details needed for an accurate representation.
– Legal Issues: It is unclear what legal rights a digital twin or the creators of the digital twin have, especially regarding consent and intellectual property of a person’s likeness posthumously.
– Authenticity: Critics may argue that despite technological advances, AI cannot fully replicate the spontaneity and depth of human emotion and memory, creating a facsimile that may always fall short of the person it represents.
Advantages:
– Emotional Support: For friends and family, a digital legacy like Bommer’s AI can serve as a source of comfort, allowing them to hear his voice and remember his personality.
– Preservation of Knowledge: The AI holds the potential to preserve the specific knowledge and expertise of individuals, enabling future generations to learn from them directly.
– Cultural and Historical Documentation: Digital legacies can document and preserve the cultural and intellectual contributions of individuals, beneficial for historical records and research.
Disadvantages:
– Potential for Unresolved Grief: Interacting with a digital twin may prevent individuals from fully processing their grief, as the presence of the simulation may constantly remind them of their loss.
– Misrepresentation and Accuracy: Regardless of how much data is used to program the AI, there may still be aspects of a person’s personality and essence that cannot be quantified or replicated, leading to discrepancies between the AI and the actual person.
– Dependence on Technology: There’s a risk that people may become overly reliant on digital memories, rather than creating new experiences or connections.
For readers interested in the broader context of digital legacies and AI development, the following links provide valuable insights:
– American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): For discussions about privacy rights and legal perspectives on digital legacies.
– Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): A leading professional organization, which may cover ethical standards and emerging technology discussions in AI.
– World Health Organization (WHO): For understanding the impact of digital legacies on mental health and bereavement processes.
Careful considerations need to be made about the implications of leaving behind a digital twin and how society may need to adapt to these new legacies.