HereAfter AI's attempt to bring loved ones back from dead conjures up controversy

To explore posthumous interaction with your departed loved ones, HereAfter AI, an artificial intelligence-powered app, claims to bring deceased individuals back to life virtually. 

Users can create a digital avatar, pre-loaded with memories, which responds to prompts and engages in conversation. The concept, founded by James Vlahos in 2019, aims to immortalise individuals by preserving and sharing their life stories interactively.

The user journey involves pre-recording memories, uploading photos, and guiding the AI to create a personalised chatbot that represents the deceased person. 

Despite the simplicity of the app, it attempts to go beyond traditional digital legacies by enabling interactive conversations based on the recorded information. The app acknowledges the inevitability of death, emphasising the preservation of meaningful memories.

While the innovative concept raises questions about the ethical implications and potential discomfort associated with interacting with a digital representation of the deceased, it highlights the evolving landscape of AI applications in the realm of personal legacies. 

The user experience, as described by the reviewer, suggests a sense of forced creation and a potential disconnect in the perception of the virtual avatar.

Concerns about data privacy and consent are also addressed, with HereAfter AI asserting that user information won't be sold and providing assurances about the preservation of recordings even if the company shuts down.

However, the review prompts considerations about the natural inclination to share personal details, the potential interception of data, and the voluntary nature of creating a digital replica.

Ultimately, the review concludes with a decision to prioritise live conversations over the virtual resurrection offered by HereAfter AI, highlighting the emotional and ethical complexities surrounding the concept of digitally extending one's presence beyond death.