In Seoul, South Korea, Lee Geon Hui sought to honor his single father with a unique gift—a video message featuring a digital likeness of Lee’s deceased grandfather. Created by the tech company Vaice, the AI-powered video allowed Lee’s grandfather to express emotions and apologies to his father.
Lee, an office worker, shared, “My father initially hesitated to watch the video but eventually did and was moved to tears.” The video expresses elements Lee wished to communicate, offering a sense of connection beyond the grave.
The use of AI video recreations of the deceased is gaining popularity in South Korea. Companies offer digital representations of lost relatives, and TV programs feature AI versions of deceased celebrities. While this technology can console grieving families, it also stirs ethical, psychological, and legal debates.
Yong Man Ro, an AI specialist at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, described it as a “double-edged sword” due to the emotional implications. As AI becomes integral in daily life, it produces unexpected cultural experiences.
Vaice’s CEO, Jeongu Won, highlighted that demand comes from individuals in their 40s and 50s seeking to remember late parents. A typical video requires photos and voice samples and is priced around 600,000 won ($390). These videos often play during family gatherings and holidays. Clients typically express affection and resolve lingering conflicts in the scripts they write.
Lee’s father missed showing his grandfather the successful career he established as a hairstylist. Lee witnessed his father’s emotional reaction to the video and recognized a continued sense of loss.
Upon launching a similar service, JL Standard initially faced skepticism but found wider acceptance as AI avatars of celebrities appeared in media. Won mentioned no reports from customers saying AI videos intensified their grief. Nevertheless, some experts voice ethical concerns about this technology.
Choung Wan, an emeritus professor at Kyung Hee University’s Law School, emphasized the need for legal safeguards to ensure dignity and privacy. There should be restrictions against creating AI depictions of individuals who opposed such use before their death.
The emergence of “griefbots” fuels concerns regarding managing mourning healthily. Psychologically, acknowledging the finality of death is important. Simulating the deceased might hinder this process, keeping people in an artificial world of remembrance.
Won is cautious about chatbot services, as real-time interactions could lead to unforeseen ethical challenges. However, the rapid acceptance of AI services presses these issues further.
Choi Yu Ha noted improvements in technology enabling lifelike replication of physical features, making AI representations strikingly similar to real individuals.
Ro shared a personal experience using a one-minute AI video of his deceased parents. It offered comfort to his family, but they agreed one viewing was enough. AI offers new ways to honor loved ones, but Ro articulated the importance of moving forward to preserve emotional health.
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