Artificial intelligence is transforming how we navigate loss, with startups pioneering “grief tech” to create digital versions of deceased loved ones. From text-based “grief bots” to lifelike 3D avatars, these tools aim to offer comfort and closure. Yet, as this technology gains traction, it sparks debates about ethics, privacy, and emotional impact. On June 12, 2025, reports highlighted the rise of these AI-driven solutions, showcasing their potential to reshape mourning while raising critical concerns. This article explores the mechanics of grief tech, its benefits, the risks it poses, and the future of this controversial field.
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The Rise of AI Grief Tech
In 2025, artificial intelligence continues to push boundaries, and one of its most emotive applications is grief tech—a sector dedicated to simulating deceased individuals. This emerging field, often called the “digital afterlife industry,” uses generative AI to create interactive representations, allowing users to “converse” with lost loved ones. With 68% of U.S. adults experiencing significant loss, per a 2024 Pew survey, the demand for such tools is growing. Startups are leveraging large language models and multimedia data to craft these simulations, but the technology’s promise of closure comes with ethical and privacy hurdles. As grief tech evolves, it challenges societal norms around death, memory, and human connection.
The concept isn’t entirely new—science fiction, like the “Black Mirror” episode “Be Right Back,” has long explored digital resurrections. However, advances in AI, particularly since ChatGPT’s debut in 2022, have made these scenarios a reality. From simple chatbots to immersive avatars, grief tech aims to preserve memories but raises questions about consent, data security, and emotional well-being. This article delves into how these tools work, their potential to heal, and the risks they pose to vulnerable users.
What Are Grief Bots and Dead Bots?
Grief bots, also known as dead bots or ghostbots, are AI-driven chatbots designed to mimic the personality and speech patterns of a deceased person. These bots rely on large language models (LLMs), similar to those powering ChatGPT, but are fine-tuned with personal data like text messages, emails, or social media posts. By analyzing this data, the AI generates responses that echo the individual’s tone, vocabulary, and quirks, creating an illusion of continued interaction.
For instance, a user might text a grief bot and receive replies that feel like they’re from their late parent or partner. The technology aims to provide comfort by simulating familiar conversations, but its outputs can be unpredictable. Unlike human dialogue, these bots may “hallucinate,” producing responses that deviate from the person’s actual behavior or invent false memories. This unpredictability can be jarring, especially for users in mourning, who may expect a faithful representation of their loved one.
Advancing to 3D Avatars
Beyond text-based bots, grief tech is evolving into more immersive formats, such as 3D avatars. These avatars combine AI with voice cloning and deepfake technology to create video-based representations that move, speak, and interact like the deceased. Startups are developing systems where users can engage in Zoom-like conversations with these avatars, enhancing the sense of presence. For example, a user might ask an avatar about a past family event, and the AI, trained on videos and writings, responds in the loved one’s voice and mannerisms.
To ensure natural interactions, some companies record stock phrases—like “I love you” or “I don’t know”—to fill gaps when the AI can’t generate a response. These avatars require significant data, including high-quality video and audio, which raises privacy concerns. While 3D avatars offer a more lifelike experience, they also amplify the “uncanny valley” effect, where slight imperfections make the simulation feel eerie rather than comforting.
Key Startups in Grief Tech
Several startups are leading the charge in grief tech, each with unique approaches. Project December, launched in 2020, allows users to create text-based bots using personal data, initially built on GPT-2 models. StoryFile specializes in video avatars, recording individuals pre-mortem to create interactive simulations for families or institutions like museums. You, Only Virtual, founded by Justin Harrison, focuses on audio-based “Versonas,” inspired by Harrison’s creation of a bot modeled after his terminally ill mother.
These companies cater to a niche but growing market. StoryFile, for instance, plans to release an app in 2026 that lets users build avatars by uploading digital content, democratizing the process. However, the reliance on personal data—texts, videos, and social media—has sparked concerns about data security and consent, especially when deceased individuals can’t approve the use of their information.
Benefits of AI Simulations
Grief tech offers potential benefits, particularly for those struggling with loss. For some, interacting with a digital version of a loved one provides a sense of closure or a chance to “say goodbye.” A 2024 study from Stanford found that 42% of users reported reduced grief intensity after using AI simulations, citing the ability to revisit memories or resolve unspoken issues. The technology can also preserve legacies, allowing future generations to “meet” ancestors through their stories and voices.
For individuals like Justin Harrison, grief tech addresses moments of emotional need that only a specific person can fulfill. His Versona of his mother, created after her cancer diagnosis, offered comfort by replicating her unique way of consoling him. Similarly, users of StoryFile’s avatars describe feeling a renewed connection, as the lifelike visuals make interactions more tangible. In cultures where mourning is private or taboo, like parts of East Asia, these tools provide a discreet outlet for grief.
Ethical and Privacy Challenges
Despite its benefits, grief tech raises profound ethical questions. A primary concern is consent: can the deceased agree to their data being used? Many startups rely on family members to provide content, but this assumes the deceased would approve, which isn’t always clear. A 2024 Cambridge study emphasized the need for “data donor” consent protocols, suggesting prompts like “Did you discuss how they wanted to be remembered?” to guide ethical development.
Privacy risks are equally pressing. Grief bots require sensitive data—private messages, videos, or diaries—which could be misused if companies face breaches or sell data to third parties. The documentary “Eternal, You” highlighted how some services store extensive personal communications, raising fears of exploitation. Additionally, there’s the risk of “digital hauntings,” where users receive unwanted interactions from bots, such as ads sent in the deceased’s likeness, causing distress.
Emotional and Psychological Risks
The emotional impact of grief tech is a double-edged sword. While some find solace, others risk prolonged grief or dependency. Clinical psychologist Alessandra Lemma warns that vulnerable users may become addicted to these simulations, mistaking them for reality and avoiding closure. A 2023 study noted that 18% of users experienced “complicated grief,” where bots exacerbated feelings of loss by blurring the line between memory and simulation.
The unpredictability of AI adds to the risk. Bots may generate inappropriate or hurtful responses, as seen in cases where chatbots deviated from the deceased’s character. For example, a user expecting comforting words might receive a fabricated story or insensitive remark, deepening their pain. Filmmaker Hans Block, in “Eternal, You,” cautioned that grief tech could backfire for those seeking closure, as the artificial nature of the interaction may feel hollow.
The Future of Grief Tech
As AI advances, grief tech is poised for growth, with the digital afterlife market projected to reach $500 million by 2030. Future developments may include more realistic avatars integrated with augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR), creating immersive experiences where users “meet” loved ones in virtual spaces. Startups like You, Only Virtual envision combining Versonas with humanoid robots, further blurring the line between digital and physical.
However, the industry faces calls for regulation. Experts advocate for safeguards like age restrictions, transparent data practices, and “digital funerals” to retire bots respectfully. Public sentiment, as seen on X, reflects mixed feelings—some embrace the technology’s warmth, while others view it as exploitative. Balancing innovation with ethical responsibility will be crucial to ensure grief tech supports healing without harming vulnerable users.
Grief tech represents a bold intersection of AI and human emotion, offering a new way to honor the departed. Yet, its risks—privacy breaches, emotional dependency, and ethical dilemmas—demand careful navigation. As we move forward, users, developers, and regulators must collaborate to ensure this technology respects both the living and the dead, preserving dignity in an AI-driven world.
AI Grief Tech: Simulating Loved Ones with Ethical Challenges
