An elderly woman from China has been interacting with an artificial intelligence replica of her son for more than a year, unaware that he tragically passed away in an accident. The woman, who is in her 80s and suffers from heart issues, was shielded from this heartbreaking truth by her family, who feared it might overwhelm her. In an effort to provide comfort, they sought assistance from a team of developers, supplying them with photographs, videos, and voice recordings of her son speaking in his native dialect. This collaboration resulted in a lifelike avatar that closely resembles her son, both in appearance and mannerisms.
Now, the digital version of her son engages with her daily through video calls. During these conversations, she often reminds him to dress warmly, eat properly, and take care of himself. In response, the AI avatar claims he is busy with work in another city, which prevents him from visiting. According to Zhang Zewei, the creator of the system, the avatar even replicates her son’s characteristic gesture of leaning slightly forward while speaking.
The situation has sparked a significant response on social media. Some individuals have labeled the AI son as a "white lie," suggesting it serves as a means of solace for someone who may struggle to cope with such a loss. Conversely, others view it as a form of emotional manipulation that could inflict greater pain if the reality comes to light. What are your thoughts? Is this a justified "lie for good"?
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