Dr. Philip Nitschke, the creator of the Double Dutch pod, is set to incorporate an "AI psychiatrist" to assess users' mental health capabilities. Nitschke highlights that his primary aim is to mitigate legal risks for those assisting individuals in the process, and he clarifies that he does not plan to widely promote this technology. The earlier model, known as the Sarco Pod, was utilized only once in September 2024 in Switzerland, when a 64-year-old woman voluntarily entered the machine and activated it by pressing a button, causing the capsule to fill with nitrogen. Following this event, authorities detained members of the Last Resort organization who were with her, but they were released two months later without facing any charges. In Switzerland, assisted suicide is permissible, with the distinction that the individual must carry out the final act themselves. The law mandates that mental competency be established at the time of the decision, which should be confirmed after two consultations with a psychiatrist. In the latest design, the AI will assist in this evaluation process. If neither individual activates the capsule within a 24-hour timeframe, they will need to undergo the assessment once more. The updated pod accommodates two users, both of whom must simultaneously press the button to initiate activation. It remains uncertain whether the government will sanction the use of AI in this context.
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