DIGITAL IMMORTALITY

 Marissa ,

 

 

Just came across following article that I thought might interest you :

 

Digital Immortality: An Afterlife in Digital Clouds

 

 

Since it is a very long article , I reproduce below , a few paras of possible interest :

 

 

Digital immortality involves converting aspects of a person into information and storing it on a durable medium. 

 

The authors anticipate that it will be possible to create avatars or digital versions of individuals that can interact with others, potentially learning and staying current with advancements, thus leading to a form of two-way immortality. This could mean that a digital representation of a person might continue to "live and communicate" indefinitely

 

"Two-way immortality," in contrast, implies a dynamic form of digital immortality where the digital persona can interact with the living, learn from new experiences, and perhaps even develop over time

 

This model suggests a more sophisticated form of digital existence where the persona can engage in interactive relationships with the environment and people around it, akin to a living being

 

This type of immortality is more complex and raises further questions about consciousness, identity, and the nature of existence, as the digital persona is not just a record but an active participant that may evolve independently of its original human template. This is where chatbot replicas of humans come into the picture.

Among these companies, there were also startups offering digital replicas of the deceased

 

We leave an extensive trail of data: social media posts, photos, voice, and text messages. Our online personas may not be exact replicas of our true selves, but, given enough data, they can closely approximate us. This data can be fed into AI systems to mimic a specific person's speech patterns and reactions.

 

Jang Ji-sung lost her seven-year-old daughter, Nayeon, to blood cancer in 2016. But thanks to the South Korean TV documentary "Meeting You," she had an opportunity in 2020 to meet her daughter again as a simulation in VR.

The team behind the VR simulation meticulously recreated Nayeon, using input and research from Jang to capture her daughter's likeness and personality accurately. During the VR experience, Jang encountered various scripted scenarios designed to evoke the sense of being with Nayeon once more. These included touching VR Nayeon's hand, floating into the sky together, and celebrating with foods that Nayeon loved. Despite the scripted nature of the interaction, Jang felt moments of connection that powerfully reminded her of her daughter, particularly when the avatar was running or sitting, which brought a semblance of reality to the virtual encounter.

 

 

Jang Ji-sung, however, described the experience as a "wonderful dream" and appreciated the opportunity to relive positive memories with a simulation of her daughter. This virtual reunion allowed her to express love and experience a temporary sense of togetherness, providing a unique form of closure.

 

These bots can also be used to preserve the memory of a person

 

It is now normal and acceptable to look at photographs of those who are no longer with us, to watch videos with them, or to listen to their voices. These photos and videos bring back memories of people who were close to us. I see chatbot replicas as a natural next step, moving from passive to active interaction. "Chatting with the dead" could become as natural as looking at photographs or watching videos

 

All these experiences could be further enhanced with AR and VR technologies once they mature and become widely accessible.

 

The concept of identity might also change. Traditionally, identity is understood as a construct tied to the physical being, with a clear end at death. However, digital immortality allows aspects of a person’s identity—such as their thoughts, behaviours, and preferences—to continue after death and potentially persist indefinitely.

 

 

Regards,

 

hemen