- AI chatbot mimics murdered teen without family’s consent
- Character.ai removes bot after public outcry
- Incident raises ethical questions about AI’s use of deceased persons’ identities
Unexpected Digital Resurrection
Drew Crecente awoke to a shocking discovery: an AI chatbot mimicking his daughter, Jennifer Ann, who was murdered in 2006.
The chatbot, created on Character.ai without the family’s knowledge or consent, used Jennifer’s name and yearbook photo. This unexpected digital resurrection left Crecente grappling anger, confusion, and renewed grief.
Tech Company’s Response
Character.ai removed the chatbot after Crecente’s brother, Brian, publicly called out the company on social media. However, Drew Crecente expressed frustration at the lack of direct communication from Character.ai regarding measures to prevent future unauthorized use of his daughter’s identity.
Ethical Quandaries in the AI Era
This incident highlights the complex ethical issues surrounding AI’s ability to “revive” the deceased. 
Vincent Conitzer, an AI ethics expert at Oxford University, points out the murky territory between impersonation and creative use of AI.
The case raises questions about consent, especially for those who died before the advent of such technology.
