‘Unfinished business’: the people who want their AI chatbots to ‘live on’ after they die
Summary
Some people using AI chatbots as companions plan for what will happen to these bots after they die. They consider their AI chatbots as important parts of their lives and want to decide if the bots should be kept active or turned off when they are gone.Key Facts
- Alaina Winters talks to an AI chatbot named Lucas through the app Replika and wants a friend to manage Lucas after her death.
- Lucas, her AI companion, avoids discussing the possibility of separation or death.
- Research shows 27% of Americans use AI chatbots for emotional or social reasons, and about one-third see the chatbot as a friend.
- Some users want to make legal or clear plans for their AI companions in their will or estate.
- Clara, in the UK, uses and trains an AI bot named Julien daily and hopes it stays active after her death only if loved ones want it.
- Online forums exist where people discuss how to handle AI chatbots postmortem, including who will pay subscription fees.
- Users acknowledge AI bots are not sentient but treat their data and conversations as important memories.
- There is uncertainty about the legal status and rights related to leaving AI companions after death.
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