Artificial Intelligence | [Digital] Life After Death

Artificial Intelligence | [Digital] Life After Death
Vicar Sayeedi
July 8, 2021

For tens of thousands of years, Homo Sapiens has made deliberate and extraordinary attempts to leave behind a record of its achievements, beliefs and presence on the Earth in a deliberate and unequivocal attempt to inform future societies of what has come before. From the 40,000 year-old Lion Man of Stadel carved from Mammoth ivory and found in a cave in Germany to the 4,600 year old mausoleum of Pharaoh Khufu at the Great Pyramids at Giza. From the nearly 4,000 year old legal code of the Babylonian King, Hammurabi to the death mask of the Florentine writer, Dante Alighieri and other prominent figures from the late Middle Ages, humankind has used many methods to inform future generations, even those who might come thousands of years later, that they are following in the footsteps of many great personalities, some well known and meticulously documented and preserved in the archeological and historical record, alongside the contributions of so many others who remain anonymous. Without a doubt, there is something hardwired in our Limbic System, an algorithm in our Mammalian brain, as a result of Evolutionary Psychology, some need in the Homo Sapiens that for seventy thousand years following the Cognitive Revolution has left us with a deep seated need to be remembered following our death.

Fortunately, in modern times, this desire of leaving behind a lasting legacy is becoming easier than ever before. Today, many people have the means to write or commission a professional biographer to compile their memoir. They can easily leave behind digital or paper documents and photographs or digital recordings and videos of great conversations, lectures or speeches of important contributions they have made to humankind or to their chosen field of endeavor. But perhaps most profound of all, in the not too distant future, deceased humans will be able to live on in digital form through Artificial Intelligence.

These Artificial Intelligence Agents will reside in our Smartphones, Smart watches and other ubiquitous devices and, during our lifetime, they will record every intimate detail about us. Then, upon our passing, these Agents will continue to represent us, perhaps as an Avatar or by inhabiting an exoskeleton that resembles our physical persona. Now, using these comprehensive and deep insights into our history and personality, we may be capable of inhabiting the present in perpetuity. These Agents will be capable of projecting what we might likely have said or might say in a particular circumstance or how we might react to a particular situation. They will essentially be extending our personality and presence indefinitely. It’s an extraordinary but understandably unsettling development and a probable reality for many.

Imagine, for example, the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court having the capacity to consult America’s Founding Fathers on their original intent with regard to major constitutional questions that arise during debate or of the opportunity for Apple’s design team to consult Steve Jobs in 2020 about his thoughts on a new iPhone design or new product launch. Or perhaps what Albert Einstein might have to say on the ongoing attempts by contemporary scientists to uncover the Theory of Everything – the God Equation – that consumed thirty years of his life. Or how Leonardo Da Vinci might respond to the realization of many of the technologies that preoccupied his thoughts during his life, including the possibility of humans taking to the skies.

Scientists and Technology Pioneers are actively investigating how Artificial Intelligence might produce a dynamic and realistic version of someone who has died, not simply a static replica for the emotional benefit of close family members but evolving digital variants that might still be able to lead great companies or extraordinary statesmen that could direct the world through dangerous and unpredictable times. A number of established Tech giants including Microsoft as well as new enterprises including Here After AI and Replika believe that there will be great demand for these digital reproductions and personas in the form of Chatbots or Avatars that will gesture and speak in a personality and voice identical to that of a now deceased individual. In fact, holograms of deceased actors and artists have already been performing in film and on stage.

In a patent held by Microsoft, two of the Tech giant’s inventors have described an AI Agent that collects data from the various social media platforms and uses this data alongside recordings of a person’s voice and copies of their writings to train itself to speak and interact by replicating that individual’s personality. According to the patent filing, this person could be someone who has now passed away or even someone who is still alive. They might be an acquaintance or celebrity, a friend or relative or even a fictional or historical character and the AI Agent would be able to imitate this person’s voice and mannerism in a very realistic manner. As our digital personas improve with time, they may be able to learn and therefore continue to evolve beyond our passing and therefore adapt to events and life as it continuously unfolds. This would confer some measure of digital immortality by not just preserving our personality but allowing us to extend our lives in perpetuity in virtual form.

In such a reality, our immortal digital personas would continue to interact with our families, friends and descendants long after we have passed. We could also explore the universe without the limitations of our biochemical hosts and thus travel farther and longer than any ordinary human could in a normal lifetime. Or perhaps in a less dramatic application, our digital persona could be used while we’re still alive so we can keep our work progressing at the office while we holiday on a sun soaked beach thousands of miles away.

The possibilities and scope of this application and realm of Artificial Intelligence is endless and will undoubtedly leave many in society feeling reticent and uncomfortable particularly when confronted with the issue of grief and of letting go. But such AI Agents may soon be a new norm while we simultaneously raise ethical questions about whether or not human rights would be applicable to our digital personas and so many other questions of ethics and morality. In summary, the likelihood is high that these AI Agents may soon find their way into society and rapidly on a path to ubiquity.








Vicar Sayeedi is a Computer Scientist and Engineer, a Lecturer and a Consultant. Vicar is also the author of several books. His most recent book is about Artificial Intelligence and is titled, The Génome Affair.

Vicar has lectured widely on the subject of Artificial Intelligence including at the National Hemophilia Foundation, The Royal Boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster in London, the National Library of Singapore and in Silicon Valley, California.

Vicar is most interested in the big questions facing humankind. He is particularly focused on studying at the confluence of the five great disciplines of Human History, Political Science and Thought, International Affairs, Science and Technology. This intersection offers a deep understanding and pedagogically important lessons of how advances in human endeavor have influenced and impacted civilization.

Vicar has been writing books, essays and poetry for many years. For the past 30 years, Vicar has worked in the Technology and Pharmaceutical industries. He is currently a Consultant in the Life Sciences Industry and lives in suburban Chicago with his wife and their three grown children.


You can find Vicar’s recent book on AI, The Génome Affair on Amazon at this link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YQ7M9Q7

The most recent episodes of Vicar’s ai & u! Podcast are on YouTube at the following links:

Episode 1 - https://youtu.be/yNYr28jtY_k
What is Artificial Intelligence? What is Human Intelligence?

Episode 2 - https://youtu.be/kAEgDNh1Nwc
How Did We Get Here? Machine Learning, Neural Networks & the AI Lexicon, Exciting AI Agents

Episode 3 - https://youtu.be/3PYCyv1pCgM
Deep Mind - How Powerful is Narrow AI? State Surveillance and Surveillance Capitalism

Episode 4 - https://youtu.be/WvobCMIM_H4
Impact on Societies That Possess Artificial Intelligence Versus Those that Do Not!

Episode 5 - https://youtu.be/4JVpvm4g79g
Surveillance Capitalism, Surveillance State, 4th Industrial Revolution, Bifurcation of Sapiens

Episode 6 - https://youtu.be/e1q2GgcWQok
AI, Blockchain & Quantum Computing - Implications for Global and National Governance

Episode 7 - https://youtu.be/4bDSUvrOdd4
Popular Perceptions of Intelligence, the Seat of Human Intelligence and Implications for AI

Episode 8 - https://youtu.be/3GjHqQZL7Pk
AI - Why Should I care? Plus Exciting Updates from Elon Musk and Neuralink!

Episode 9 - https://youtu.be/enpecqDecC8
AI - Excellence, Innovation & Genius

Episode 10 - https://youtu.be/UsriESlTjdA
Implications for AI as China and the West Decouple

Episode 11 - https://youtu.be/0CpaMb-yw3g
Artificial Intelligence: Ethics, Law & Society

Episode 12 - https://youtu.be/PLzodrLWMq0
AI & Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems

Episode 13 - https://youtu.be/Lm_nrNyJRbA
AI & the Future of Work in Industry 4.0 – the 4th Industrial Revolution

Episode 14 - https://youtu.be/_3E1Mhr_Dt8
Artificial Intelligence and its Implications for Authoritarianism and Democracy

Episode 15 - https://youtu.be/IpMUqHOEd7w
Artificial Intelligence, Consciousness & the Future of Homo Sapiens

Episode 16 - https://youtu.be/mIf7_VMzGKo
AI and its Implications for America's Political Environment

Episode 17 - https://youtu.be/gsMRPnovZGI
Special Episode: Reading From The Génome Affair

Episode 18 - https://youtu.be/UxNxtWDCREM
Artificial Intelligence - Digital Tyranny, Datocracy and the Imitation Game

Episode 19 - https://youtu.be/Db8U0QQWWuY
Does Artificial Intelligence Really Replicate Human Intelligence?

Episode 20 - https://youtu.be/Np18AEq-6DM
AI & Rising Geopolitical Tensions Between China & The West

Episode 21 - https://youtu.be/fOMSvNiixA0
AI & In-vitro Fertilization [IVF]

Episode 22 - https://youtu.be/EQPpRhIV6Kw
AI & Human Intelligence: A Complex Relationship

Episode 23 - https://youtu.be/EAbQ7stY7JQ
AI Upends the World of Structural Biology

Episode 24 - https://youtu.be/Bsb1F8uoBpA
AI & COVID-19: An Extraordinary Contribution

Episode 25 - https://youtu.be/PqL5PCRc8tA
AI, Connectomics & Transhumanism: the Future of Humankind

Episode 26 - https://youtu.be/HI8Zjl8VM8U
Dramatic Upheaval Inside Google's Ethical AI Team

Episode 27 - https://youtu.be/TqWwJYc2GxQ
AI & Cyber Espionage | How Will the Sunburst Attack Affect Our Security?

Episode 28 - https://youtu.be/89BcThqgcfQ
AI & the Rapidly Escalating Threat from Deep Fake Videos

Episode 29 - https://youtu.be/zvOHRMmJNB4
AI, Facial Recognition Technology & The Digital Surveillance State

Episode 30 - https://youtu.be/br4ygfEWdk0
AI & Social Media | The Most Destructive AI We've Ever Seen?

Episode 31 - https://youtu.be/sOy12ii8zwM
The Democratization of AI & The 2021 Maiflower Expedition | Plymouth, England to Plymouth, MA

Episode 32 - https://youtu.be/bixdLL74reE
Sino-American Cold War | A Blessing in Disguise for America?

Episode 33 - https://youtu.be/tTRm312DgMc
AI & the Tyranny of Meritocracy

Episode 34 - https://youtu.be/FpPzC5VP6GM
In the Midst of Chaos and Pandemic | A Big AI Announcement From the Trump Administration

Episode 35 - https://youtu.be/bK3xCBwrG8w
Artificial Super Intelligence – Can We Control It?

Episode 36 - https://youtu.be/Rc60DQ0L86Q
A New America | Hope with a Big Dose of Caution

Episode 37 - https://youtu.be/UBenYYHbYqM
Will AI [Science & Tech] Benefit From a New Cold War with China?

Episode 38 - https://youtu.be/JewJnPywnOU
Will AI Eventually Replace All Other Forms of Government?

Episode 39 - https://youtu.be/ibuJ8vozyqg
Will AI Perpetuate Bias in Employment, Health Systems, Law and Society?

Episode 40 - https://youtu.be/IJYbPfGC-08
AI | Will it be the Bain of Cyber Criminals?

Episode 41 - https://youtu.be/ozrO5_XTYKQ
AI | What Will it Mean for the Future of Work?

Episode 42 - https://youtu.be/kDKapDK-Vb0
AI | A Harbinger for the End of Democracy?

Episode 43 - https://youtu.be/7XeNyE8CA9I
AI & the Life Sciences | Developments in Connectomics & Radiology

Episode 44 - https://youtu.be/mWaPW_UolVo
AI & Geopolitics | Critical Strategic Planning in the Age of China

Episode 45 - https://youtu.be/qOSOc3vJRBk
AI & Humankind | What Might the Future Hold?

Episode 46 - https://youtu.be/atMSV1WAFkg
AI Enabled Surveillance | An Important Tool to Contain Dangerous Personality Traits?

Episode 47 - https://youtu.be/kz7-EDmlGXc
Will AI Favor Authoritarianism or Democracy?

Episode 48 - https://youtu.be/uTvKWQgdOaI
AI | A Key Enabler of Universal Basic Income?


Episode 49 - https://youtu.be/sy48Xqo-3qM
AI & The Future of Government, Industry, Markets &Trade

Episode 50 - https://youtu.be/JU1oGzb5TS0
AI & Surveillance | America’s New Strategy in the Middle East

Episode 51 - https://youtu.be/nOCQjUxLWJY
AI-Enabled Global Government | An Idea Whose Time Has Come?

Episode 52 - https://youtu.be/g1VJqiI3HyE
AI & Healthcare | What Will the Future Look Like? Will it be More Equitable?

Episode 53 - https://youtu.be/ie9KAg_kF7Q
AI & Surveillance | The Ethical Dilemma of Facial Recognition Software

Episode 54 - https://youtu.be/ie9KAg_kF7Q
AI & Regulation | Europe is Leading the Way

Episode 55 - https://youtu.be/l-gcYTZMsm8
AI & Consciousness | Will Machines Soon be Sentient?

Episode 56 - https://youtu.be/-8BaouCn9cs
AI & Regulation | Europe Announces New Rules

Episode 57 - https://youtu.be/243zm7aHImQ
AI & Human Emotion Recognition | Is it Inherently Flawed?

Episode 58 - https://youtu.be/rdXllGj8rbo
AI & Autonomous Vehicles | Where are We Now?

Episode 59 - https://youtu.be/EMbqpN5mbqw
AI & the 4 Little Trees | More on Emotion Recognition

Episode 60 - https://youtu.be/K5wtkj-VTrk
AI & the Colonial Pipeline Attack | Cyber Threats are Growing Rapidly

Episode 61 - https://youtu.be/03KysO3VJgI
AI & the Coronavirus | A Postmortem

Episode 62 - https://youtu.be/7wmSIWgbuQI
AI on the Battlefield | The Conflict in Gaza

Episode 63 - https://youtu.be/a_1AmLJD3lo
AI and Xenophobia | Will We Finally Break the Cycle?

Episode 64 - https://youtu.be/9s-Go1TYK9c
AI, Cyber Attacks & the Future of War | Where are We Headed?

Episode 65 - https://youtu.be/1nKbTMzfpqM
Artificial Intelligence | Humankind’s Final and Greatest Invention

Episode 66 - https://youtu.be/1nKbTMzfpqM
America & the 4th Industrial Revolution | Where do We Go From Here?

Episode 67 - https://youtu.be/RMrqreI-PRw
Artificial Intelligence | [Digital] Life After Death
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Published on July 08, 2021 12:31
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