LogInGod is dead, and we have killed him.
Image Credit: DeepBrain AI
Following a recent report from the BBC, the community's attention was drawn to Re;memory, a service from a Korean development firm DeepBrain AI that lets one recreate the "Be Right Back" episode from Black Mirror in real life and turn passing relatives into interactive AI chatbots to communicate with posthumously.
First introduced in 2022, Re;memory creates a video-based avatar of a person by shooting hours of video and audio to capture their face, voice, and mannerisms. The system then employs deep learning algorithms to reproduce the person in a digital format, allowing, and I quote, "bereaved families to maintain a bond with the deceased through AI".
"We are cloning the person's likeness to 96.5% of the similarity of the original person, so mostly the family don't feel uncomfortable talking with the deceased family member, even though it is an AI avatar," says DeepBrain AI. "Through these services, you can have more precious memories with your parents, and cherish the time together when your parents are alive. After your parents pass away, you can meet your parents in the cloud through AI technology, to alleviate the pain of the death of your loved ones."
Such an act of digital necromancy will come at a cost, though, with clients having to pay $50,000 for the filming and avatar-creation processes. High prices notwithstanding, the BBC's report highlights that the company raised $44 million in its last funding round, indicating that investors have shown considerable interest in the technology.
With grieving the loss of a loved one being a natural process and one of the things that make us human, it's no wonder that many found Re;memory disturbing and bizarre, and the AI copies it creates very Uncanny Valley-like. Some have even accused DeepBrain AI of exploiting people's suffering for profit, a charge that one may accept or reject based on their own beliefs and morals.
What is your take on this service? Do you think that having an AI mimic a deceased relative is a healthy coping mechanism? Tell us in the comments!
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