AI and grief: A prospective study on the ethical and psychological implications of deathbots

Belén Jiménez-Alonso, Ignacio Bresco de Brescó de Luna

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Different projects are currently being devoted to the so-called griefbots or deathbots—chatbots based on the digital footprint left behind by the deceased through social media, emails, texting, and messaging systems—with the aim of giving the bereaved the chance to speak to their loved ones after their death. In parallel with the burgeoning of these AI-powered technologies, a growing number of studies are focusing on their possible ethical and psychological implications. However, with a few exceptions, little work has addressed this question empirically. To bridge this gap, this chapter includes a set of in-depth interviews with different mourners who are asked how they imagine deathbots—still in their developmental stage—might affect their grieving experience. Following on from previous theoretical work, the ethical and psychological implications of deathbots are discussed by considering the concept of mediation, as well as some recent approaches to grief, such as the notion of continuing bonds.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEthics in Online AI-Based Systems : Risks and Opportunities in Current Technological Trends
EditorsJoan Casas-Roma, Santi Caballé, Jordi Conesa
Number of pages17
PublisherElsevier
Publication date2024
Pages175-191
Chapter9
ISBN (Print)978-0-443-18851-0
ISBN (Electronic)9780443188510
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
SeriesElsevier Book Series on Intelligent Data Centric Systems

Keywords

  • Deathbots
  • continuing bonds
  • cultural psychology
  • ethics
  • grief
  • griefbots
  • imagination
  • interviews
  • mediation

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