Conflicted and Confused

I find myself questioning whether or not I find it acceptable to create an AI version of someone who has passed away. 

In the Black Mirror episode, “Be Right Back,” Martha creates an AI version of her late husband, Ash, who passed away in a car accident. However, Ash 2 differs from Ash 1: Ash 2 does not need certain human necessities to survive such as food or sleep. In addition, Ash 2 is the “best” attributes and qualities of his first self. He is more attentive, willing to learn, and eager to be all that he needs to be for Martha compared to Ash 1 who was shown ignoring Martha while engrossed in his phone and too sleepy to give Martha the love she deserved. 

The reason I am conflicted is because on the one hand, if I lost someone close and special to me such as my Mother, sister, best friend, or boyfriend, I think I would be willing to do anything to bring them back if that was the norm at the time. I would love to be able to share the holidays, the celebrations, my achievements, and even my hardships with these people. I would want my mom at my wedding or when I had my first child. I would want my sister on family vacations and at every family gathering for that matter. At this point in time, I would want to best friend and boyfriend to be with me through college to have fun with and make memories with. I could not imagine my life without these people. I think with the AI versions of them, there would be little or no fights between us. I think there would be no drama, and I would receive all the support I need from them.

However, on the other hand, I find myself unsettled by the fact that when an AI version is created of someone who has passed, it is simply the best looking and superior version of the original individual. I find this disturbing because humans are not perfect, and I believe that growing and learning from one’s flaws and mistakes can be a beautiful thing. If I was surrounded by AI versions of those I loved, I think I would feel inferior, confused, and upset. I think I would not be able to grieve in a healthy manner. In addition, I think I would miss my loved one even more when the AI version of my loved one would do something out of character or “too perfect.” I love my family and friends, imperfections and all.