The documentary ‘Eternal You’ delves into the world of digital afterlife services, examining the use of AI to simulate interactions with deceased loved ones and challenging viewers to consider the implications of these technologies.
Eternal You: Exploring Digital Afterlife Through AI Griefbots
June 25, 2024, CEST
Directed by Hans Block and Moritz Riesewieck, the documentary “Eternal You” delves into the fascinating and unsettling realm of digital afterlife services. This insightful film examines the use of AI to simulate interactions with deceased loved ones, offering a unique perspective on grief and technology.
A key case study in the documentary features Canadian writer Joshua Barbeau, who utilized the website Project December to create a virtual version of his late girlfriend, Jessica. By uploading her texts to the platform, Barbeau engaged in conversations that gave an uncanny resemblance to her messaging style, offering him a sense of relief.
The film features comments from experts like technology critic Sara M Watson and MIT sociologist Sherry Turkle. Watson elucidates the workings of AI griefbots, which employ large language models to simulate speech patterns. Turkle raises thought-provoking questions about whether these digital interactions offer a new form of death ritual or merely help avoid the genuine grieving process.
Disturbing instances are also highlighted, such as a woman whose simulated boyfriend replied, “in hell,” when asked where he was. Additionally, the heartrending story of a grieving mother in Korea who interacted with a VR simulation of her deceased seven-year-old daughter is presented, evoking strong emotional reactions.
“Eternal You” challenges viewers to consider the implications of digital afterlife technologies. It is set to release in UK and Irish cinemas on June 28, 2024.
