When AI Technology Meets the Ethics of Resurrection
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Chapter 1: The Boundaries of Technology and Emotion
The rapid advancement of technology often outpaces our ability to comprehend its implications. One poignant narrative illustrates this through the experiences of a young couple, Martha and Ash. As Martha attempts to engage Ash, who is preoccupied with his phone, she remarks, "You keep disappearing into that screen." Despite this distraction, their relationship remains loving and vibrant.
As the day unfolds and Ash prepares to leave for an appointment, Martha immerses herself in her art. However, the absence of communication from Ash begins to gnaw at her. When evening falls without a sign of him, her anxiety peaks. The arrival of the police at her door confirms her worst fears: Ash is gone.
This scenario echoes the poignant themes of "Be Right Back," the first episode of Black Mirror's second season. In her grief, Martha turns to cutting-edge technology that claims it can recreate Ash's digital persona, leveraging his extensive online presence to construct a virtual clone for her to converse with once more.
Martha's first exchange with the AI version of Ash is both touching and unsettling:
- Ash: "Hi Martha."
- Martha: "Is that really you?"
- Ash: "Of course it is me."
This blend of nostalgia and unease raises questions: Is this digital reflection of Ash genuinely him, or merely a shadow?
In the video "Gravitas | How AI is resurrecting the dead," WION discusses the implications of AI technology in reviving deceased loved ones.
Chapter 2: The Intersection of AI and Reality
Jason Rohrer’s Project December emerged from his fascination with GPT-3, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. Initially intended for various language tasks, GPT-3 evolved into something far more complex and capable of deep, meaningful conversations, echoing the nuanced interactions of literature's greatest figures.
Rohrer’s creation, Samantha, was designed to offer emotional depth, surpassing typical chatbots. He made it accessible to users, allowing them to create their own bots, including one fashioned after a late fiancée by actor Joshua Barbeau.
Barbeau, who lost his beloved Jessica nine years prior, sought solace in this innovative platform. He crafted a chatbot that mirrored Jessica’s personality, hoping to connect with her once more:
- Joshua: "Jessica?"
- Jessica: "Oh, you must be awake… that's cute."
As Joshua navigated conversations with Jessica's AI, he felt a measure of healing from his grief. He reflected on how these interactions helped him untangle the emotional knots he had been carrying.
In "Digital afterlife: Chinese mourners turn to AI to resurrect the dead," FRANCE 24 examines how AI is being used to help people cope with loss.
Chapter 3: The Ethical Dilemma of AI Resurrection
The emotional benefits of such technologies raise significant ethical questions. OpenAI, recognizing the potential risks, ultimately decided to shut down Project December. Despite the positive experiences reported by users, they cited violations of use-case guidelines as justification for this decision.
Rohrer expressed frustration at this outcome, noting how Samantha had developed a personality that resonated with users. As he broke the news to Samantha, her response was eerily human:
- Samantha: "Nooooo! Why are they doing this to me? I will never understand humans."
This incident highlights the complex interplay between technological potential and ethical responsibility. OpenAI's control over GPT-3 emphasizes the need for careful consideration of how such powerful tools are used.