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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be disturbed by prospect of AI immortality

29 replies

Courgettesandonions · 30/10/2024 21:23

On the radio this morning they mentioned that we'll be able to use AI to recreate the appearance, voice and personality of someone that has died, to essentially resurrect them from the dead so we can continue to chat to them, be with them, and love them, just as if they were still alive.

People increasingly share/store enough data about their habits, choices, preferences etc that a picture can be built of their personality, and maybe we'll soon be able to opt into an immortality process to capture even more of ourselves, including our internal world.

I felt really disturbed at the thought of my partner dying and if, given the opportunity to recreate him in AI form, whether I would do it? I can't guarantee that I wouldn't.

I just felt so heartbroken at the thought of it. That it would be him but not him. I don't think I could bear it. What does everyone else think?
AIBU to find this so disturbing and sad?

OP posts:
User14March · 30/10/2024 21:56

Isn’t there a Black Mirror on this?

PaperTyger · 30/10/2024 21:57

Yes didn't they bring back, presenter Parkinson?

FastBeater · 30/10/2024 21:59

Yes, there's going to be a new series of Parkinson apparently.

It's so strange, isn't it - I mean, just because we can do something, it doesn't mean we should.

AquaPeer · 30/10/2024 22:01

There was an exhibition at the natural history museum about this dilemma - not exactly the same- about how we have enough cells and the technology to “grow” extinct species. Just just because we can, should we?

HowardTJMoon · 30/10/2024 22:06

For it to be convincing there'd need to be a huge amount of recordings of that person. They're attempting it with Parkinson because of all the video and audio of him speaking. but while they might be able to do a passable facsimile of his interview technique - and that very much remains to be seen - I don't think his wife or children would be fooled for a second.

hazelnutvanillalatte · 30/10/2024 22:08

Creepy but doesn't sound like something most people would do

ThisIsSockward · 30/10/2024 22:09

Yes, there's a Black Mirror episode in which they not only create an AI version of a deceased man, but give him a (robotic, artificial) physical body identical to the original.

It's creepy, but unless someone's famous, there will only be a limited number of people who'd want an AI copy of someone, and they'll eventually die. I don't think I'd mind a loved one making an AI copy of me to chat with, if it gave them comfort. I can't say whether I'd find it in any way fulfilling to chat with a copy of DH or my parents, if/when they pass away. I don't think it would be satisfying, but I have occasionally spoken 'to' people after they've died, or really to myself, but saying things I didn't get a chance to say in life... That feels more real than talking to an AI version of them, to tell the truth.

What I find creepier is the idea people have that we can be uploaded into the cloud somehow and made 'immortal' that way. There's Black Mirror episode about that, as well, incidentally. To me, it's not really you, therefore pointless and certainly not true immortality.

FastBeater · 30/10/2024 22:10

I didn't enjoy Black Mirror at all, and had to stop watching it 😄.

Solomotree · 30/10/2024 22:12

What I find creepier is the idea people have that we can be uploaded into the cloud somehow and made 'immortal' that way. There's Black Mirror episode about that, as well, incidentally.

i literally panic about this on the regular. It’s so terrifying. Your consciousness imprisoned and living on forever with no escape

NotTerfNorCis · 30/10/2024 22:13

At the moment I don't think most of us leave behind enough data to create a complex, life-like simulation.

Original poster
Courgettesandonions · 30/10/2024 22:14

Solomotree · 30/10/2024 22:12

What I find creepier is the idea people have that we can be uploaded into the cloud somehow and made 'immortal' that way. There's Black Mirror episode about that, as well, incidentally.

i literally panic about this on the regular. It’s so terrifying. Your consciousness imprisoned and living on forever with no escape

Oh god, that's even worse. I'm glad I didn't see that episode.

OP posts:
YellowphantGrey · 30/10/2024 22:15

Kanye West did a hologram of Kim Kardashians did that moved and spoke for Kim for her last birthday.

There's an AI Elvis tour in London next year.

AquaPeer · 30/10/2024 22:17

NotTerfNorCis · 30/10/2024 22:13

At the moment I don't think most of us leave behind enough data to create a complex, life-like simulation.

Totally agree. Maybe famous/ notorious people but no one could create me or my partner

Original poster
Courgettesandonions · 30/10/2024 22:18

YellowphantGrey · 30/10/2024 22:15

Kanye West did a hologram of Kim Kardashians did that moved and spoke for Kim for her last birthday.

There's an AI Elvis tour in London next year.

I'm so behind the times.
Tbh I love the sound of AI Elvis

OP posts:
Unbelooth · 30/10/2024 22:20

If I could have some kind of recording of my loved one, that lived on after he died, would I want that? Or images of him?

MrsPeterHarris · 30/10/2024 22:20

User14March · 30/10/2024 21:56

Isn’t there a Black Mirror on this?

This was My first thought!

Appalonia · 30/10/2024 22:23

This is creepy as hell.

User14March · 30/10/2024 22:25

I imagine the ability to do this not far away, & possibly ‘upload to the cloud’ in distant future. I saw a programme where if you had enough ££ you could have an after life without pop up ads etc!

Maybe we really are in simulation - as Elon Musk said - if we can create our own one day.

MoonWoman69 · 30/10/2024 22:31

There is enough footage of me and my voice out there for someone to be able to recreate me. But would they actually want to? I doubt it very much. Can you imagine the costs involved in having this done?! May as well buy a ticket to Mars! I think there are better things to be worrying about to be honest!

Ella31 · 30/10/2024 22:34

Its a scary thought. Even though it's so painful, grief is such a normal part of being human. I think this advancement in technology would really interfere with its natural process. It wouldn't be something I'd like to do anyway.

User14March · 30/10/2024 22:42

In some ways no more absurd than the internet etc & mobile phones in 1940s?

AquaPeer · 30/10/2024 22:47

MoonWoman69 · 30/10/2024 22:31

There is enough footage of me and my voice out there for someone to be able to recreate me. But would they actually want to? I doubt it very much. Can you imagine the costs involved in having this done?! May as well buy a ticket to Mars! I think there are better things to be worrying about to be honest!

footage Is only enough to doctor a recording of you though. The AI would need to know your personality inside out to recreate you

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 30/10/2024 22:54

Solomotree · 30/10/2024 22:12

What I find creepier is the idea people have that we can be uploaded into the cloud somehow and made 'immortal' that way. There's Black Mirror episode about that, as well, incidentally.

i literally panic about this on the regular. It’s so terrifying. Your consciousness imprisoned and living on forever with no escape

Wasn't it also in one of the last series of The 100 too? Although that was more on the mental than scary side but still a very creepy concept.

Black Mirror is excellent though

User14March · 30/10/2024 23:22

@AquaPeer surely we are not far away? AI can replicate poets & writers etc.

User14March · 30/10/2024 23:23

This is the ‘dial up’ AI ‘stage’. The ‘pong’ game…