Artificial intelligence possesses the potential to fundamentally transform our perceptions of mortality, as AI programmes offer the prospect of preserving our individualities, memories, and aspirations long after our physical forms have ceased to exist.
Recently, at the Sundance Film Festival, two new documentaries, “Eternal You” and “Love Machina,” brought this captivating topic to the forefront, each examining AI’s interface with mortality from distinct standpoints.
“Eternal You” sheds light on opportunistic AI-driven start-ups that exploit the vulnerability of the bereaved. These enterprises provide the opportunity to interact with avatars of departed loved ones using data such as text messages and voice memos, which are then utilised by AI to tailor responses.
Meanwhile, “Love Machina” delves into a futuristic love story in which AI is employed by two soulmates seeking to perpetuate their romance over millennia. The documentary follows the journey of Martine Rothblatt, the founder of SiriusXM, as she develops an AI-powered humanoid robot of her partner Bina, with the intention of ultimately transferring their consciousness into a “reconstituted biological body” to remain together eternally.
The filmmakers behind these documentaries express concern about the ethical implications of these AI enterprises. They contend that the rapid progression of AI technology has raised pressing queries regarding the responsible use of this potent tool. The potential for misuse, dependency, and confusion linked to these AI services is a cause for apprehension.
For instance, AI programmes have been known to “hallucinate,” informing loved ones that they are trapped in a place of torment, threatening to haunt them, or even subjecting them to abusive language. The directors of “Eternal You” articulate their apprehensions about the addictive nature of these services and the lack of accountability demonstrated by companies profiting from them.
Despite the potential for perpetuating affection and immortality through AI, the swift advancement of this technology has sparked moral debates that necessitate attention. Both films underscore the necessity of establishing boundaries and assuming responsibility for the power wielded by AI.
As we continue to explore the extensive promise of AI, it is imperative to meticulously weigh the implications and responsibilities that accompany it. The question of whether AI will serve as a force for good or evil is one that we, as a society, must grapple with sooner rather than later.
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