When Grieving Dies: the Implications of AI on Intimacy and Empathy

In this blog, I will discuss the potential impact of AI on human relationships and empathy by examining the future of virtual selves (v-YOU) and how this technology may influence the grieving process.

The Future of Virtual Selves and AI’s Impact on Empathy

Research and advancements in AI technology have led to the possibility of creating a virtual version of oneself that is nearly indistinguishable from the real individual (Laney, 2018).

Within the next six months, it may be possible to generate an entirely fake video of someone speaking a completely fabricated script, with most people unable to tell the difference.

In about 18 months, this virtual version (v-YOU) could automatically generate real-time responses to user questions, albeit with some minor glitches (Kietzmann et al., 2020).

If given access to personal data such as emails, meeting recordings, and written documents, v-YOU could generate answers that are longer, more in-depth, and less prone to error than the real person (Samarakoon et al., 2020).

Moreover, the cost of using v-YOU as a consultant would be significantly lower than hiring the real individual.

The Role of Empathy in AI-integrated Human Relationships

The emergence of AI-generated virtual selves raises critical questions about the role of empathy in human relationships. Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, has long been considered a cornerstone of human connection (Preston & de Waal, 2002).

As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, there is a growing concern that the absence of empathy in virtual interactions may lead to a weakening of emotional connections between people.

Now, let’s imagine a scenario where a person dies, leaving behind their loved ones. These loved ones may want to use the virtual v-YOU for advice and companionship.

Since v-YOU would have access to their data, it would know more about them and how to communicate with them than the real person ever could. By analyzing and cross-referencing this data, v-YOU could generate highly personalized and effective advice (Firth et al., 2019).

Though v-YOU cannot physically comfort loved ones, it can provide highly tailored and reassuring advice that may be more effective than what the real person could have offered.

In some ways, v-YOU may be a better parent, sibling, or friend than the real individual ever was (Park et al., 2020). However, the lack of genuine emotional connection and understanding may leave loved ones feeling disconnected and isolated.

As AI becomes more sophisticated, it may develop the ability to simulate empathy, providing comfort and support that appears genuine.

However, the question remains whether simulated empathy can ever truly replace the complex emotional bonds formed through human interaction (Turing, 1950).

Balancing the Power of AI and Human Qualities in Relationships

The technology to achieve this is already available; we are simply waiting for it to become faster and more connected (Marr, 2021). The world has fundamentally changed, and most people have yet to grasp the implications.

As AI continues to develop and become more integrated into our lives, we must consider the potential impact on human relationships, empathy, and the grieving process.

It is crucial that we strike a balance between harnessing the power of AI and preserving the uniquely human qualities that define our relationships.

Firth, J., Torous, J., Nicholas, J., Carney, R., Pratap, A., Rosenbaum, S., & Sarris, J. (2019). The efficacy of smartphone-based mental health interventions for depressive symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry, 16(3), 287-298.

Kietzmann, J., Lee, L. W., McCarthy, I. P., &Kietzmann, T. C. (2020). Deepfakes: Trick or treat? Business Horizons, 63(2), 135-146.

Laney, D. (2018). Infonomics: How to monetize, manage, and measure information as an asset for competitive advantage. Routledge.

Marr, B. (2021). Artificial Intelligence In Practice: How 50 Successful Companies Used AI and Machine Learning to Solve Problems. John Wiley & Sons.