The tech industry has found its way into various aspects of the business of death in the United States. From digital estate planning to crowdfunding funeral costs and even turning ashes or hair into diamonds, tech entrepreneurs have capitalized on the grief industry. Culture journalist Mihika Agarwal has been reporting on this growing sector, including the use of ghost bots, chatbots designed to help individuals process grief. Agarwal spoke with Marketplace’s Lily Jamali about her reporting for Vox and the range of options gaining traction in the grief tech industry.
Agarwal explains that there are different types of apps in this space. On one end of the spectrum are apps like StoryFile and HereAfter AI, which allow users to record interviews and introduce an AI-powered element to make them interactive. These apps enable loved ones to ask questions and receive answers from the deceased. On the other end of the spectrum are apps like You, Only Virtual, which aim to recreate the presence of the deceased. However, ethical concerns arise, particularly regarding data privacy and consent.
Agarwal highlights that the post-mortem consumer protection landscape is still developing in the United States, with limited federal and state regulations. The issue of consent and ownership of digital assets after death is also a contentious topic. The “startup-ification” of grief reflects a cultural difference in how grief is processed in the United States compared to other countries. Agarwal notes that there is a lack of mourning rituals and a tendency to distract from grief rather than integrate it into one’s life.
The interview also mentions Justin Harrison, the CEO of You, Only Virtual, who hopes to eliminate grief altogether through his technology. However, there are concerns about outsourcing grief to artificial intelligence and the potential impact on the grieving process.
Overall, the article highlights the growing presence of tech entrepreneurs in the grief industry and raises important ethical considerations surrounding data privacy, consent, and the cultural approach to grief in the United States.
