Cambridge Experts Warn: AI “Deadbots” Could Digitally “Haunt” Loved Ones From Beyond the Grave

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have raised concerns about AI-driven "deadbots" that simulate interactions with deceased individuals, warning of potential psychological harm and digital "haunting." These AI chatbots, which mimic the language and personality of the dead, lack safety standards and could be misused for advertising or cause emotional distress.

The Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at Cambridge suggests that the digital afterlife industry, which offers services like recreating loved ones through AI, operates in an ethical gray area. The researchers emphasize the need for design protocols to ensure the dignity of the deceased and the emotional well-being of users, proposing measures like consent from data donors and opt-out options for users to prevent misuse and ensure respectful handling of these digital avatars.