From the possibility of interacting with deceased individuals to managing digital legacies in wills using artificial intelligence, a new definition of death presents ethical, legal, and emotional challenges

If we can talk to our dead and truly believe they are “alive,” what differentiates life from death?

Imagine attending a funeral where the deceased person speaks directly to you, answering your questions and sharing memories. This happened at the funeral of Marina Smith, a Holocaust educator who passed away in 2022.
Thanks to an AI technology company called StoryFile, Smith appeared to interact naturally with her family and friends.
The system used pre-recorded responses combined with artificial intelligence to create a realistic interactive experience. This was not just a video; it was something closer to a real conversation, offering people a new way to feel connected to a loved one after their passing.

Life After Death:
Technology has already begun to change how people think about life after death. Several tech companies are helping individuals manage their digital lives after passing away. For example, Apple, Google, and Meta offer tools to allow a trusted person to access your online accounts when you die.
Microsoft has patented a system that can take a person’s digital data—such as text messages, emails, and social media posts—and use it to create a chatbot. This chatbot can respond in a way that sounds like the original person.
In South Korea, a group of companies took this idea even further. A documentary called Meeting You allowed a mother to reunite with her daughter through virtual reality. Using advanced digital imaging and voice technology, the mother could see and talk to her deceased daughter as if she were really there.
These examples may seem like science fiction, but they are real tools available today. As AI continues to improve, the possibility of creating digital versions of people after their death seems increasingly close.

Who Owns Your Digital Life?
Although the idea of a digital life after death is fascinating, it raises significant questions. For example, who owns your online accounts after you die?
This issue is already being debated in courts and governments worldwide. In the United States, nearly all states have passed laws allowing people to include digital accounts in their wills.
In Germany, courts ruled that Facebook had to grant a deceased person’s family access to their account, stating that digital accounts should be treated as inheritable assets, like a bank account or a house.
But many challenges remain. For example, what happens if your digital clone says or does something online that you never would have said or done in real life? Who is responsible for what your AI version does?
When a deepfake of actor Bruce Willis appeared in an advertisement without his permission, it sparked a debate about how digital clones of people can be controlled—or even exploited for profit.
Cost is another issue. While some basic tools for managing digital accounts after death are free, more advanced services can be expensive. Creating an AI version of yourself could cost thousands of dollars, meaning only wealthy individuals could afford to “live” digitally. This financial barrier raises important questions about whether digital immortality could create new forms of inequality.

Grief:
Losing someone is often painful, and in today’s world, many people turn to social media to feel connected to those they’ve lost. Research shows that a significant proportion of people maintain social media connections with deceased loved ones.
But this new form of grieving brings challenges. Unlike physical memories, such as photos or objects that fade over time, digital memories remain fresh and easily accessible. They can even appear unexpectedly on your social media, triggering emotions when you least expect it.
Some psychologists worry that staying connected to a digital presence might make it harder for people to move on. This is especially true as AI technology becomes more advanced. Imagine being able to chat with a digital version of a loved one that feels almost real. While this might seem comforting, it could make it even harder for someone to accept their loss and let go.

Cultural and Religious Views:
Different cultures and religions have unique perspectives on digital immortality. For example:

• The Vatican, the center of the Catholic Church, has stated that digital legacies must always respect human dignity.
• In Islamic traditions, scholars are discussing how digital remains fit into religious laws.
• In Japan, some Buddhist temples are offering digital cemeteries where families can preserve and interact with the digital footprints of their loved ones.

These examples show how technology is being shaped by different beliefs about life, death, and remembrance. They also highlight the challenges of blending these innovations with ancient cultural and religious traditions.

Planning Your Digital Legacy:
When you think about the future, you probably imagine what you want to achieve in life—not what will happen to your digital accounts when you die. But experts say it’s important to plan what to do with your digital assets: from social media profiles and email accounts to photos, online bank accounts, and even cryptocurrencies.
Adding digital assets to your will can help you decide how your accounts should be managed after your passing. You could leave instructions on who can access your accounts, what should be deleted, and whether you’d like to create a digital version of yourself.
You can even decide if your digital version should “die” after a certain time.
Like the pharaohs, we may be able to “live” eternally in the digital afterlife—or at least until the data centers last.

Here are steps you can take to control your digital legacy:

• Decide on your digital legacy. Reflect on whether creating a digital version of yourself aligns with your personal, cultural, or spiritual beliefs. Discuss your preferences with loved ones.
• Take inventory and plan what to do with your digital assets. Make a list of all digital accounts, content, and tools that represent your digital identity. Decide how they should be managed, preserved, or deleted.
• Choose a digital executor. Name a trusted and tech-savvy person to oversee your digital assets and fulfill your wishes. Clearly communicate your intentions.
• Ensure your will covers your digital identity and assets. Specify how they should be handled, including storage, use, and ethical considerations. Include legal and financial aspects in your plan.
• Prepare for ethical and emotional impacts. Consider how your digital legacy could affect your loved ones. Plan to prevent misuse, secure funds for long-term needs, and align your decisions with your values.

The New Pyramids:
Thousands of years ago, Egyptian pharaohs built pyramids to preserve their legacy. Today, our “digital pyramids” are much more advanced and widely available. They not only preserve memories but can continue to influence the world long after we are gone.

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Patrick van Esch is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Kennesaw State University in the United States. His research focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) in marketing, consumer behavior, and digital transformation. He has published numerous studies on AI ethics, digital branding, and how businesses can leverage AI to enhance consumer engagement. In addition to his academic work, he has experience in business consulting and marketing strategy, helping organizations adapt to technological advancements in the digital age.

Yuanyuan (Gina) Cui is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Northern Illinois University. Her research explores digital marketing, AI-driven consumer behavior, and branding strategies. She has published studies on the impact of AI in marketing and how businesses can use AI to influence consumer decision-making. With expertise in data analytics and AI applications in business, she provides insights into the evolving relationship between technology and marketing, focusing on ethical and strategic implications.i