Ghost in the machine: AI advances could see dead people 'deepfaked'

Technologically, we are not far away from a society where people can mourn their deceased loved ones by talking to a chatbot version of them. Experts say future wills may soon include a "do not bot me when I die" clause. — Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa

DUBLIN: "You look like you’ve seen a ghost." The expression has typically been restricted to addressing someone who comes across as scared or shocked.

But advances with artificial intelligence (AI) technology could create a wider use: People face the prospect of being "digitally reincarnated" as chatbots or in so-called deepfakes after they die, even if they never agreed to this while alive.