What's up with all of these chatbots impersonating our dead loved ones?

In this conversation, we talk with Tomasz Hollanek discusses the concept of digital immortality, exploring its implications in the context of grief, technology, and ethics. He highlights the paradox of seeking to escape our material existence through digital means while acknowledging the material impact of technology. The discussion delves into the emergence of grief bots, the ethical considerations surrounding data donation, and the regulatory landscape for AI technologies. Hollanek emphasizes the importance of consent and the potential risks associated with these technologies, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children. 

In this conversation, Tomasz Hollanek discusses the intersection of technology, ethics, and cultural perspectives on digital immortality. He explores how technology can preserve legacies, the ethical implications of post-mortem avatars, and the importance of cultural sensitivity in designing digital afterlife technologies. The conversation also delves into the language used in this field, the trends in AI, and the varying attitudes towards death across different cultures. Hollanek emphasizes the need for ethical considerations and the potential for technology to enhance our understanding of mortality.