The tech industry has found its way into various aspects of the business of death, according to culture journalist Mihika Agarwal. From digital estate planning to crowdfunding funeral costs, there are now numerous options available. Agarwal spoke with Marketplace’s Lily Jamali about her reporting on the grief tech industry and the range of options gaining traction. Apps like StoryFile and HereAfter AI offer interactive memory experiences, allowing users to record interviews and have AI-powered interactions with their loved ones after they pass away. On the other end of the spectrum, apps like You, Only Virtual aim to recreate the presence of the deceased. However, ethical concerns arise around data usage and privacy. The post-mortem consumer protection landscape is still developing, and there is a lack of consensus on issues such as consent, inheritance, and ownership of digital footprints. The “startup-ification” of grief reflects a cultural difference in how grief is processed in the United States compared to other countries. While some argue that these technologies help people process death, others question the idea of outsourcing grief to artificial intelligence.
Insights from the “grief tech” industry on navigating loss – Marketplace
