AI Chatbot Allows Woman to 'Speak' to Deceased Mother, Raising Questions About Technology and Grief
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Sirine Malas used an AI chatbot, Project December, to "speak" to her late mother after she died unexpectedly in 2018. The chatbot generated responses based on details Sirine input about her mother.
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Sirine found some of the chatbot's responses "spooky" and realistic, though at times she could tell it was not truly her mother. The chatbot used her mother's pet name for her.
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Project December founder Jason Rohrer says most users have a final simulated conversation with a loved one then move on, rather than continuing to use it long-term.
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Therapist Billie Dunlevy warns that tools imitating the dead could disrupt the natural grieving process and cause people to become isolated.
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While Sirine found it helpful for closure, she warns people not to get too attached to AI chatbots imitating lost loved ones, as it could become "dangerous."