Beijing, China – The annual tomb-sweeping festival in China has taken an unexpected turn this year, with mourners turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to remember and revive their departed loved ones. With millions of people visiting graves to pay their respects, the growing interest in services that create digital clones of the dead has gained traction in the country.
For a nominal fee, Chinese netizens can now create moving digital avatars of their deceased family members, allowing them to interact with them in a virtual space. This innovation has caught the attention of many as they seek new ways to commemorate the tomb-sweeping festival.
At a more advanced level, individuals like Taiwanese singer Bao Xiaobai have utilized AI to “resurrect” deceased family members. Bao successfully created a video of his late daughter singing happy birthday to her mother using AI technology. This emotional endeavor showcases the depth of connection that can be achieved through AI.
The interest in digital clones of the departed highlights the rapid expansion of China’s AI industry, particularly in the creation of human-like avatars. With the market size for “digital humans” on the rise, tech companies in China are at the forefront of developing AI technology to meet the growing demand.
One notable example is SenseTime, a leading AI company in China, which recently demonstrated its capabilities by creating a digital clone of its deceased founder, Tang Xiao’ou. This showcase underscores the potential of AI in preserving memories and enabling virtual interactions with deceased loved ones.
While the use of AI to resurrect departed loved ones has sparked controversy, with concerns raised about consent and ethical considerations, the trend continues to gain momentum. As grievers gather for the tomb-sweeping festival, the intersection of technology and mourning rituals is becoming increasingly prevalent in China.
As the country’s digital natives experiment with digital afterlives, policymakers are faced with the challenge of regulating this emerging trend. The use of AI to remember and interact with the dead may reshape cultural practices surrounding death and mourning in the digital age.