‘I created my mom and talk to her’: AI ghosts and deathslop are changing the way we mourn

The rise of generative AI has introduced controversial new ways to process grief, ranging from unauthorized celebrity 'deathslop' to personalized 'griefbots.' While some users find comfort in creating AI replicas of deceased loved ones to resolve unfinished conversations or find closure, critics warn of significant ethical and psychological risks. Experts highlight the lack of consent in creating digital avatars of the deceased and express concern that these tools may hinder natural grieving processes by isolating individuals from human support systems. Despite the growing popularity of services like Versona and Re;memory, research suggests that most users engage with these digital ghosts only briefly to address specific unresolved feelings. As the technology evolves, the funeral industry is increasingly integrating AI, sparking a broader debate about the ethics of digital immortality and the potential for exploitation of those in mourning.