Artificial intelligence (AI) has invaded every aspect of our lives. It’s in our living room, our cars, and at work. Now, it seems AI is keeping us alive long after death. An app called HereAfter AI creates a custom voice avatar of a deceased person to help people stay connected after they die.
HereAfter AI app and its purpose
HereAfter AI provides a unique and innovative way to memorialize and honor the life of a departed friend or family member. The app utilizes artificial intelligence technology to turn a loved one’s personality and memories into an interactive, personalized digital experience.
HereAfter AI will scan photos, videos, audio recordings, and other data and transform them into realistic 3D simulations of the departed. This way you can interact with your loved one anytime from anywhere.
Hereafter AI also has an option to send virtual “messages of love” to the departed. Users can write or record messages that will be included in the simulation for all to see and hear.
Essentially, HereAfter AI is a simple way to leave a legacy and keep our memories alive forever. It also provides users with an emotional connection they may have been missing since the passing of their loved ones.
How HereAfter works
While you are alive, the app will interview you to discover important events in your past. It will ask questions about your first love or your favorite place to visit. You can even share some of your favorite jokes and songs.
With your voice, use the app to record stories and preserve memories. You can also upload pictures and create photo albums with recorded explanations of who is in the pictures, where they take place, and when they were taken.
Later, after your passing, loved ones will have access to your recordings and photos. With the AI, someone can ask questions about your life and your AI-generated voice will talk back. You’ll be able to have a unique conversation with someone beyond the grave years in the future.
Is HereAfter a bad idea?
The HereAfter AI app essentially tries to replace a person’s loved one with a simulated version that could never truly fill the gap left by them. It also fails to help people work through the grieving process in healthy ways and instead perpetuates an unhealthy reliance on technology to cope.
It could potentially create a cycle of dependency on the application and lead to feelings of further loss when someone is unable to access or interact with their loved one’s “simulation.” Finally, it fails to provide any meaningful or practical help in preparing for one’s own death by providing them with financial security or helping them plan for end-of-life care.
HereAfter AI is probably not a good idea and should be avoided as it will only make grief harder to cope with and could lead to further psychological distress. Instead of relying on technology, people should focus on finding healthy ways of working through their loss such as talking to friends or family members, engaging in activities they enjoy, or seeking professional help when needed.
