To live forever is an idea that passes through our minds for at least once in our whole lifetime. This concept has slowly been realized through recent technological breakthroughs. As the technology for immortality starts to rise, so do the concerns and challenges it faces.
Digital Afterlife is an emerging industry that refers to innovations associated with death and deprivation. According to a research review published under the Memory Studies Review journal, Digital Immortality works by uploading existing data about the deceased in order to create an AI avatar, chatbot, or simulation. Through this data, the person’s communicative behavior, visual appearance, and even their voice can be replicated, making it possible for the departed to interact with users.
However, though the intention is to provide a solution to grief, the emergence of this industry sparks concerns and challenges in regards with its content integrity, ethics and autonomy, social and psychological impact, financial burdens, and technological limitations.
Deceased’s Dispensation
One of the main reasons why the digital afterlife is scrutinized is the paradoxical dilemma of the departed’s consent concerning content integrity. Based on NordPass, a password management company, on average, people have at least 100 online accounts. Most are not deleted after death.
Data that are locked behind passwords or biometric data are also a hurdle. In the words of analysts in the University of Siegen in Germany, protecting sensitive data with passwords or biometric security methods is a major barrier that makes it difficult for loved ones to access vital information. Hence, there is still a need for policies for controlling access to files after death.
Ethical conundrums rise from below the stockpile of the internet as private information may be leaked, concerning confidentiality and safety of data. As stated by Cebo Daniel of the EPRA International Journal of Research and Development (IJRD), virtual humans contain personal information, such as memories and thoughts, that could be misused or exploited.
Ethical Ethernet
Another hurdle in the Digital Afterlife industry is the ethical questions it brings up and the autonomy of the bot. Problems in ethics show in light of the digital presence after death as the person who will be portrayed will lack control over the bot’s actions. As reported by analysts, the lack of consent from the deceased themselves highlights the ethical dilemma inherent in using digital representations without explicit authorization.
The autonomy of the AI also raises problems. The deceased does not have control over the decisions of the AI’s system, resulting in possibilities of manipulation or other exploitation tactics. There is still a need for appropriate legislation to explore these risks.
Declining Desolation
One more struggle of the Digital Afterlife is its inevitable effect on the way people process grief. Mourning, especially to Filipinos, is a process deeply rooted to our culture and identity. According to Maggi Saven-Baden and David Burden, researchers for the journal of Postdigital Science and Education, digitizing life after death may affect the feeling of grief itself, reestablish concepts of death, postmortem emotions, and other aspects of mourning.
There can also be instances where it can be a violation of the survivor’s privacy. As explained by Davide Sisto in his book Online Afterlives: Immortality, Memory, and Grief in Digital Culture, chatbots can become publicly accessible which may not only endanger the departed’s personal information, but also to those who are left behind.
Cash Constraints
Advanced technology itself is inherently wallet draining. Even the most digital avatar service can be sourced from China for 199 yuan or PHP1,659.00 in Philippine currency. Another company sets their digital immortality services for as high as USD50,000,00 , which converts to PHP2,948,250.00 in recent exchange rates.
As added by analysts, there will be a high possibility that only the wealthy will be able to access such technology, hence, the socio-economic inequality may worsen sparking new class conflicts.
Technology Troubles
It is undeniable that current technologies continue to advance as time passes. However, it is still relatively weak and limited for world-wide access. As added in the Memory Studies Review journal, despite growing digitalization and lesser requirements for the distribution of media content, this still does not apply to all regions of the world.
Though with its own setbacks, the Digital Afterlife is nothing less than life-changing. Soon, through this immortality interface, the idea of being remembered and living forever may not be such a fever dream after all.
Written by Kate Adrienne P. Payan, Insight PH
Kate Adrienne P. Payan, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
