In a highly emotional move, former CNN reporter Jim Acosta published an interview featuring a digitally recreated avatar of Joaquin Oliver, one of the students killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The goal was to support gun reform—but instead, it has sparked a fierce ethical debate.

The interview was created in collaboration with Joaquin’s parents and the advocacy group Change the Ref, which has long campaigned for stricter gun laws in the U.S. Powered by artificial intelligence, the avatar answered questions using phrases and texts Joaquin had written while alive.

“I’m Not Trying to Bring My Son Back—I Want His Voice to Be Heard”

In the video, Joaquin’s father Manuel Oliver appears alongside the digital version of his son and emphasizes that he understands the technology behind it.

“I know this is AI. I don’t want anyone to think I’m trying to bring my son back. I can’t. But the technology exists—and it can help make a difference.”

The video was released symbolically on the day Joaquin would have celebrated his 25th birthday.

Parkland: A Tragedy That Changed America

Joaquin was one of 17 students and teachers killed in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The event triggered widespread protests, the March for Our Lives movement, and a renewed national debate over gun laws.

Divided Reactions: Powerful or Disturbing?

Public response on social media was sharply divided.

Some critics called the interview “creepy” and “disturbing,” raising concerns about consent, emotional impact, and authenticity. They argued that holding a conversation with a digital version of a deceased person crosses ethical lines.

“You’re basically chatting with a smart text editor,” one user commented on X.

Others expressed compassion, even among those who disagreed with the family’s political stance on gun control.

“If your child dies for any reason, you’ll do anything to preserve their memory,” wrote another commenter.

The Ethics of AI and Voices from Beyond

Change the Ref had previously used AI in its 2024 campaign “The Shotline,” where synthetic voices delivered prewritten messages from gun violence victims to lawmakers.

But this time, it wasn’t just narration—it was interactive simulation, which many say crosses a delicate boundary between tribute and impersonation.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have already warned that replicating the deceased with AI poses serious ethical challenges. They’ve called for clear consent frameworks, age restrictions, transparency, and respectful deactivation protocols for digital avatars.

A Memento from the Future: Does Technology Have the Right to Speak for the Dead?

The case of Joaquin Oliver raises a painful yet vital question: Where does technological progress end, and human dignity begin? Is AI a tool of remembrance—or a violation of memory?


#AI , #DigitalIdentity , #artificalintelligence , #Technology , #worldnews

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