Diego Felix Dos Santos never thought he would be able to hear the voice of his late father again, but Artificial Intelligence has made it possible. He says, “The tone of the voice is exactly the same as the father is really in front of me.” After the sudden death of his father last year, he went to Brazil to meet his family. Returning to Scotland, he realized that his father had not left any memorable thing left, except the voice note that his father sent from the hospital.
Memories fresh from AI
According to a report by The Economics Times, in July, he enlisted the help of an AI platform called XI Labs with the help of this voice note. It is a voice generator tool that will be launched in 2022. By paying a monthly fee of $ 22, he created new messages in his father’s voice. Now this app makes him feel as if he is living again that had never happened. As soon as he listens on the app – “Hi son, how are you?”, Everything looks like reality. Even the nickname “bossy” given by his father is heard in the same words.
Family doubts and acceptance
Initially, his family opposed this technique due to religious beliefs. But gradually they also accepted it. Now DOS Santos and his wife, who were detected in 2013, are thinking of getting their digital voice clones prepared so that their presence remains with the family in future also.
Increasing market of ‘Greef Tech’
The experience of DOS Santos is part of the trend that is now called “Greff Tech”. That is, such AI techniques which are being developed to give mental support to people after the death of loved ones. Startups like Storyfiles and Gen’s AI of America are already offering devices that can create someone’s digital identity or voice-based interactive avatar.
In this connection, a company named Eartranos was also launched in 2024. Its founder Robert Loksiyo took the initiative to create an AI-based digital twin after his father’s death. So far, more than 400 people have made their interactive avatars on this platform. The subscription plan starting at $ 25 is available here, which keeps the stories and memories of the person to the family even after his death.
Moral and emotional questions
Although this technology has opened a new path to deal with sorrow, but many serious questions are also arising with it. Issues such as consent, data security and business gains are now part of a major debate. Experts believe that this technique consoles humans, but it should not be the reason for avoiding the process of real sorrow or replacing it.
