2025-06-17T12:36:31Z

---

Christopher Pelkey was tragically shot and killed in a road rage incident in 2021. Fast forward to May 8, 2025, during the sentencing hearing for his killer, a groundbreaking yet controversial event took place: an AI-generated video reconstruction of Pelkey delivered a deeply emotive victim impact statement. The trial judge, visibly moved by the performance, decided to impose the maximum sentence for manslaughter, highlighting the significant emotional weight this technological innovation can carry.

In another instance, as part of the ceremonies marking Israel’s 77th year of independence on April 30, 2025, officials had ambitious plans to host a concert featuring four iconic Israeli singers who tragically passed away years earlier. The innovative plan aimed to resurrect their likenesses and voices using AI-generated sound and video technology, allowing them to perform alongside the beloved artist Yardena Arazi, who is still very much alive. However, the event ultimately did not materialize as Arazi withdrew from participation, citing concerns over the current political climate in Israel.

Moreover, in April 2025, the BBC took a different approach by creating a deepfake version of the renowned mystery writer Agatha Christie. This AI-generated Christie was slated to teach a “maestro course on writing,” intended to inspire aspiring authors in the art of crafting murder mysteries. This illustrates an emerging trend: the use of artificial intelligence to “reanimate” the deceased for various purposes is gaining traction, raising profound questions about ethics and morality.

At the Center for Applied Ethics at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, researchers have been exploring the ethical dilemmas posed by these AI reanimations. They argue that the implications of using such technology are troubling and multifaceted. Before delving into the moral conundrums, it’s essential to differentiate AI reanimations, or deepfakes, from griefbots. Griefbots are chatbots that emulate the communication style of deceased individuals, trained on extensive data sets like social media posts and personal messages. In contrast, the deepfakes we are discussing seek to achieve other aims, often tied to legal, political, or educational objectives.

The first moral quandary these technologies introduce concerns consent. Would the deceased individuals have approved of their likeness being utilized for the purposes they are being used for? For instance, would the late Israeli singers have wished to perform at an Independence Day ceremony orchestrated by a government they may not have supported? Would Pelkey have been comfortable with the script his family prepared for his AI avatar? And what about Christie's perspective on her AI counterpart teaching a class on writing?

These questions can only be approached indirectly, as we glean insights from the lives and beliefs expressed by these individuals when they were alive. It raises the question: if the estates of the departed consent to these reanimations, is that sufficient? Are the trustees of their estates truly representing the wishes of the deceased?

Beyond consent, a more pressing issue arises: how do these reanimations impact the legacies of the deceased? The essence of a person’s reputation often relies on their absence, creating a mystique that can enhance their legacy posthumously. Historical figures like John F. Kennedy and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin have seen their reputations bloom after death, supported by public nostalgia and the absence of contemporary critique.

Athenian leader Pericles articulated a profound truth in his legendary Funeral Oration: a noble death can elevate one’s reputation, overshadowing past misdeeds. This leads to critical reflections on whether AI reanimations dilute the hard-earned legacies of the deceased. Does resurrecting their voices for contemporary commentaries undermine their historical significance, or does it enrich the discourse surrounding their impact?

Furthermore, these AI representations hold significant potential for influencing public opinion in political or legal contexts. The ability to bring back a beloved artist to endorse a political event or to recreate a victim’s testimony raises ethical concerns about manipulation and emotional influence. While quoting historical figures in speeches is one thing, having an AI duplicate actively participate in a narrative changes the game entirely.

Some proponents of AI reanimation argue that, when used thoughtfully, these technologies can serve virtuous purposes. Imagine a reanimated Martin Luther King Jr. speaking to a divided nation, advocating for unity and moderation. Or consider a digital Mordechai Anielewicz addressing the trial of a Holocaust denier. Yet we must ponder whether these hypothetical scenarios align with the true values and beliefs of the individuals being represented.

Additionally, the educational potential of AI-generated figures may not be fully realized without caution. For example, a digital Agatha Christie could indeed captivate students and inspire budding writers, but there is a risk that such interactions overshadow substantive engagement with the literature itself. The responsibility of creating these representations is significant, as they could easily become the focal point of learning rather than a means to stimulate broader exploration.

As W.H. Auden poignantly reflects in his poem about W.B. Yeats, the memory of the deceased endures through reinterpretation by the living. Yeats’ legacy, as Auden suggests, became intertwined with the imagination of his admirers, illustrating how the deceased live on through the evolving perspectives of those who remember them. Ultimately, the authors of a new narrative about the deceased should be the living, allowing for a more authentic and meaningful engagement with their legacies.

In conclusion, while AI technologies offer intriguing possibilities for reanimating the past, we must tread carefully. Utilizing such profound capabilities in an ethical manner is essential, lest we risk diminishing the very essence of those we seek to honor through these digital reincarnations.