Monday, July 7, 2025

Logging off life but living on: How AI is redefining death, memory and immortality

 

‘Gone but not forgotten’ could become a big understatement in the age of AI. Marina113/iStock via Getty Images

Imagine attending a funeral where the person who has died speaks directly to you, answering your questions and sharing memories. This happened at the funeral of Marina Smith, a Holocaust educator who died in 2022.

Thanks to an AI technology company called StoryFile, Smith seemed to interact naturally with her family and friends.

The system used prerecorded answers combined with artificial intelligence to create a realistic, interactive experience. This wasn’t just a video; it was something closer to a real conversation, giving people a new way to feel connected to a loved one after they’re gone.

Virtual life after death

Technology has already begun to change how people think about life after death. Several technology companies are helping people manage their digital lives after they’re gone. For example, Apple, Google and Meta offer tools to allow someone you trust to access your online accounts when you die.

Microsoft has patented a system that can take someone’s digital data – such as texts, emails and social media posts – and use it to create a chatbot. This chatbot can respond in ways that sound like the original person.

In South Korea, a group of media companies took this idea even further. A documentary called “Meeting You” showed a mother reunited with her daughter through virtual reality. Using advanced digital imaging and voice technology, the mother was able to see and talk to her dead daughter as if she were really there.

Virtual reality ‘reunites’ a mother with her dead daughter.

These examples may seem like science fiction, but they’re real tools available today. As AI continues to improve, the possibility of creating digital versions of people after they die feels closer than ever.

Who owns your digital afterlife?

While the idea of a digital afterlife is fascinating, it raises some big questions. For example, who owns your online accounts after you die?

This issue is already being discussed in courts and by governments around the world. In the United States, nearly all states have passed laws allowing people to include digital accounts in their wills.

In Germany, courts ruled that Facebook had to give a deceased person’s family access to their account, saying that digital accounts should be treated as inheritable property, like a bank account or house.

But there are still plenty of challenges. For example, what if a digital clone of you says or does something online that you would never have said or done in real life? Who is responsible for what your AI version does?

When a deepfake of actor Bruce Willis appeared in an ad without his permission, it sparked a debate about how people’s digital likenesses can be controlled, or even exploited, for profit.

Cost is another issue. While some basic tools for managing digital accounts after death are free, more advanced services can be expensive. For example, creating an AI version of yourself might cost thousands of dollars, meaning that only wealthy people could afford to “live on” digitally. This cost barrier raises important questions about whether digital immortality could create new forms of inequality.

Grieving in a digital world

Losing someone is often painful, and in today’s world, many people turn to social media to feel connected to those they’ve lost. Research shows that a significant proportion of people maintain their social media connections with deceased loved ones.

But this new way of grieving comes with challenges. Unlike physical memories such as photos or keepsakes that fade over time, digital memories remain fresh and easily accessible. They can even appear unexpectedly in your social media feeds, bringing back emotions when you least expect them.

Some psychologists worry that staying connected to someone’s digital presence could make it harder for people to move on. This is especially true as AI technology becomes more advanced. Imagine being able to chat with a digital version of a loved one that feels almost real. While this might seem comforting, it could make it even harder for someone to accept their loss and let go.

Digital afterlives bring thorny issues.

Cultural and religious views on digital afterlife

Different cultures and religions have their own unique perspectives on digital immortality. For example:

These examples show how technology is being shaped by different beliefs about life, death and remembrance. They also highlight the challenges of blending new innovations with long-standing cultural and religious traditions.

Planning your digital legacy

When you think about the future, you probably imagine what you want to achieve in life, not what will happen to your online accounts when you’re gone. But experts say it’s important to plan for your digital assets: everything from social media profiles and email accounts to digital photos, online bank accounts and even cryptocurrencies.

Adding digital assets to your will can help you decide how your accounts should be managed after you’re gone. You might want to leave instructions about who can access your accounts, what should be deleted and whether you’d like to create a digital version of yourself.

You can even decide if your digital self should “die” after a certain amount of time. These are questions that more and more people will need to think about in the future.

Here are steps you can take to control your digital afterlife:

  • Decide on a digital legacy. Reflect on whether creating a digital self aligns with your personal, cultural or spiritual beliefs. Discuss your preferences with loved ones.

  • Inventory and plan for digital assets. Make a list of all digital accounts, content and tools representing your digital self. Decide how these should be managed, preserved or deleted.

  • Choose a digital executor. Appoint a trustworthy, tech-savvy person to oversee your digital assets and carry out your wishes. Clearly communicate your intentions with them.

  • Ensure that your will covers your digital identity and assets. Specify how they should be handled, including storage, usage and ethical considerations. Include legal and financial aspects in your plan.

  • Prepare for ethical and emotional impacts. Consider how your digital legacy might affect loved ones. Plan to avoid misuse, ensure funding for long-term needs, and align your decisions with your values.

Digital pyramids

Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian pharaohs had pyramids built to preserve their legacy. Today, our “digital pyramids” are much more advanced and broadly available. They don’t just preserve memories; they can continue to influence the world, long after we’re gone.The Conversation

Patrick van Esch, Associate Professor of Marketing, Coastal Carolina University and Yuanyuan (Gina) Cui, Assistant Professor of Marketing, Coastal Carolina University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Monday, June 16, 2025

Spider-Man’s lessons for us all on the responsibility to use our power, great or small, to do good

 

A large statue of Spider-Man at a mall in Dubai. Giuseppe Cacace AFP via Getty Images

As a child, I watched reruns of the 1967 Spider-Man cartoon on television. I was drawn to the action and colors and, of course, the catchy tune. This was my early introduction to Spider-Man, as it was for many children who grew up in the 1960s-’80s.

Spidey, as he is affectionately called, was a huge part of popular culture. The Spider-Man story was first released in 1962 as part of another comic book, Marvel’s Amazing Fantasy (192) #15. A year later he became his own title character, branching out into cartoons, merchandising and feature films. In other words, Spider-Man became ubiquitous.

With the advent of films featuring him in 2002, however, Spider-Man reached an entirely new level of influence, so much so that academic interest in him increased. I edited a 2021 book in which I wrote a chapter about Spider-Man’s creeds – his main sets of beliefs, or one might say his religion: “Theology and Spider-Man.”

A phrase that has appeared in various forms in Spider-Man lore – “with great power comes great responsibility” – is an example of such a creedal statement. I examine how this one phrase can resonate with readers and viewers to such a degree that it shapes their everyday lives and makes Spider-Man a moral exemplar to many of us.

More broadly, however, I believe that as a moral exemplar, Spider-Man exemplifies the struggle for virtue that most of us face every day.

Spider-Man is relatable

Moral exemplars are figures who transcend the average human experience, achieving extraordinary feats in pursuit of virtue. They serve as models for others to follow. They can be historical figures or people we interact with every day.

A 2017 study led by educational psychology scholar Hyemin Han states moral exemplars influence others because their stories seem relevant and attainable. The study shows evidence that people are more likely to respond to a peer’s example of good behavior and be motivated by that. This means that role models who feel relatable to our daily lives tend to have the greatest impact.

I would argue that Marvel superheroes and the films they have inspired are popular because we see ourselves in these stories. These characters are the sort of moral exemplars that can influence our behavior because we identify with them so closely.

Spider-Man particularly fits this bill. Peter Parker is a teenager who unexpectedly gains superhuman power. In this transformation, he is forced to struggle with moral behavior on a higher level because he now has newfound abilities to do things normal humans cannot. He can use his powers for good or selfish ends, and the effects are much more damaging than for a normal person.

A man dressed in a Spider-Man costume sits among a crowd of onlookers.
Spider-Man is popular because many people identify with him closely. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Moral exemplars are connected in a fundamental way to virtue ethics – a framework of behavior based in core virtues such as honesty, bravery and kindness. Virtue ethics focuses on building character within versus following a set of rules.

Moral exemplars are the people who represent virtue ethics in its purest form. They are the most virtuous in their character, displaying what all humans should aspire to when practicing virtue ethics. The virtuous hero is the one we emulate and build our own character around, being a representative of a virtuous life.

Spidey is a perfect moral exemplar because he is relatable. He is one of us. He has limitations but invites us to work beyond them.

Morality is Spider-Man’s strength

In the 2021 film “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” Spidey is confronted with the choice of using his power for good or for revenge. As a portal opens to other dimensions, he encounters a number of villains from past films, including the Green Goblin from the 2002 film.

In contrast to the Green Goblin, Spidey chooses to use his power for good. Green Goblin kills Aunt May because he wants Spidey to embrace the power he has and use it for selfish means. Aunt May serves as a moral foundation for Peter Parker, and with her gone, perhaps the Goblin sees an opportunity for Spidey to embrace power for power’s sake. He tells Spidey, “Morality is your weakness.”

Spider-Man must struggle with the temptation to kill the Goblin in a fit of revenge – exactly the kind of self-serving thinking that the Green Goblin himself encourages. Green Goblin is the anti-moral exemplar. He embraces power and vice, while Spidey embraces doing good for others. Earlier in the film, the Goblin states, “Gods don’t have to choose; we take.” For the Goblin, there is no real morality. His power entitles him to any action.

On the contrary, Spider-Man sees his power as a gift to be used – “with great power comes great responsibility.” Spider-Man continually sacrifices the joy in his life – his relationships, his health and his family – in order to fight villains and protect the innocent. This is practicing virtue ethics at a high level, one that reaches the status of a moral exemplar.

Spidey’s determination to use his power for good arises out of his origin story in the original narrative found in Amazing Fantasy #15. Spider-Man feels a strong sense of guilt and responsibility due to his uncle’s death, which he feels is the result of his inaction. Thus he is committed to using his power for good.

At first, he uses his abilities to make money wrestling or finding fame on television. In the aftermath of a television appearance, however, he allows a thief to escape because he doesn’t feel morally responsible to stop him. As the thief escapes, Spidey states, “From now on I just look out for number one – that means – me!” Soon after, he finds that same thief has killed his uncle.

It is out of this origin story that is born his adoption of the phrase “with great power comes great responsibility.” His uncle’s death was necessary for his moral tranformation.

Spider-Man shows us that moral responsibility does not go away just because one has power. It is in this lesson that Spider-Man exemplifies morality for us. He becomes a moral exemplar.The Conversation

George Tsakiridis, Senior Lecturer of Philosophy and Religion, South Dakota State University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 

Monday, June 9, 2025

Educational Toy & Stationery Drive for Informal Settlement Children

 


 Educational Toy & Stationery Drive for Informal Settlement Children

Help Us Bring Joy and Learning to Over 1,000 Children in Need

The Makuase informal settlement is currently home to more than 30,000 people—individuals and families who are destitute, unemployed, and struggling to hold on to hope. What began as a vacant piece of land has transformed into a densely populated informal community.

Shacks made from whatever materials residents could find—wood, zinc sheets, scrap metal—stand tightly packed together, often compromising health and safety. There is no proper infrastructure, and access to basic necessities like electricity and clean water remains a daily struggle. Crime has become another major concern, leaving many residents living in constant fear.

South Africa, as a developing nation, continues to face challenges in service delivery. Millions still live without adequate housing, water, or electricity. As a result, informal settlements like Makuase have become the only option for survival for many, growing rapidly since the early 2000s as desperate families seek shelter on unused land.

But it is the children—especially the little ones who cannot attend a crèche, and the young ones who are of school-going age—who face the greatest challenges. We estimate that over 1,000 children in Makuase live in extreme poverty, without access to the nutrition, education, and stimulation they need to grow, learn, and enjoy the innocence of childhood.

Our team has visited the Makuase informal settlement several times and witnessed firsthand the overwhelming need for support—particularly for the children. Residents have voiced a heartfelt plea: for their children to have a chance, to learn, to experience stability, and to feel valued and loved.

By providing educational toys for toddlers, along with books and stationery for school-aged children, we aim to meet some of these pressing needs. More than just items, these are tools of hope—sparking curiosity, joy, and a sense of belonging in young hearts. Together, we can help shape a better future for these children and their community.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE = www.clrfoundation.com and make a donation.  


 


Saturday, May 17, 2025

GET ROCCO TO SCHOOL

 


Rocco is a remarkable 16-year-old special needs learner with a passion for learning and an impressive academic record. Currently in Grade 8, he still has a few important school years ahead. For Rocco, school isn’t just about lessons—it's his happy place. A place of adventure, joy, connection, and personal growth.

Despite the challenges he faces, Rocco consistently achieves over 80% across all his subjects, proudly declaring Math as his favorite. His enthusiasm for learning, combined with his kind and loving nature, is a recipe for success.

But Rocco’s dream is in danger.

Due to South Africa’s harsh economic climate, Rocco’s mother, who battles diabetes and has been unable to secure employment, is struggling to make ends meet. Without transport, she relies on extended family for support, but it’s simply not enough.

Rocco urgently needs help to cover:

  • Transport fees to and from his special needs school
  • School uniforms
  • Essential learning materials

The special needs school is quite a distance from his home, and the monthly transport fee has fallen into arrears. Without intervention, Rocco may soon be unable to attend the school he loves so much.

The CLR Foundation has pledged to support Rocco’s educational journey, but we need your help to make it possible.

Let’s keep Rocco in school where he belongs.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, brings us one step closer to securing Rocco’s future. Together, we can stand behind his potential and keep his dream alive.

 

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/lets-get-rocco-to-school