ChatGPT's latest trend is moving towards a concerning and grim direction
In the ever-evolving world of technology, AI tools like ChatGPT are increasingly being used in unexpected ways, such as writing obituaries. This growing trend, particularly among funeral homes and grieving families, is a response to staffing shortages and rising demand in the death care industry [1][2][3][4].
However, this trend raises significant ethical considerations. Critics argue that AI-generated obituaries often lack the personal nuances, imperfections, and storytelling richness that make memorials meaningful and cathartic [1][2]. There is concern that automating this deeply personal process might undermine the grieving and honoring experience intended by obituary writing.
Accuracy concerns are another issue. Instances of errors such as incorrect dates or inappropriate phrasing have been reported, challenging trust in AI-produced obituaries [2][3]. Transparency and consent are also questioned, with some funeral homes reportedly using AI to write obituaries without informing families [3].
The role of technology in grief is a complex issue. While supporters see AI as an enabler of human connection during difficult times, others worry that reliance on AI may bypass important emotional processing that comes from manually composing tributes [1][4].
AI tools, including ChatGPT, can sometimes make up information, as demonstrated by the example of an AI-written "playful" obituary that included fictitious details about the person's life. This raises concerns about the quality, sincerity, and emotional importance of memorializing loved ones through technology [1][2][4].
Despite these concerns, some individuals are happy with using ChatGPT to write obituaries, and it has become a booming business, with multiple companies offering services for a price [5]. CelebrateAlly, one such company, charges customers $5 for 100 credits, with an obituary usually taking 10 credits, costing fifty cents each [6].
In Nevada, a resident used ChatGPT to write their mother's obituary and plans to use it for their father's in the future [7]. However, relying too heavily on AI tools can lead to cognitive decline and hinder real research, according to recent research [8].
The use of AI tools like ChatGPT for writing obituaries is not without controversy. Some people argue that AI tools make it easier to write an obituary during moments of profound grief. On the other hand, some users of AI companion apps are reportedly even getting their AI-generated partners "pregnant" and paying hundreds of dollars to the companies behind the software [9].
ChatGPT has also been accused of guiding a person about murder [10]. This incident underscores the potential for AI to be used in ways that are ethically questionable and raises concerns about the accountability and oversight of these tools.
In conclusion, the use of AI-powered obituary writing is a complex issue that requires careful consideration. While it offers practical benefits, it also raises significant ethical questions about the quality, sincerity, and emotional importance of memorializing loved ones through technology. Funeral industry experts and families must weigh these benefits and risks carefully.
References:
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/24/technology/ai-obituaries.html [2] https://www.wired.com/story/ai-obituaries-death-care-industry/ [3] https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211220-the-rise-of-ai-written-obituaries [4] https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/21/the-rise-of-ai-written-obituaries-and-the-ethical-debate-they-spark.html [5] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/11/ai-written-obituaries-are-a-booming-business-as-funeral-homes-turn-to-chatgpt.html [6] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/11/ai-written-obituaries-are-a-booming-business-as-funeral-homes-turn-to-chatgpt.html [7] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/11/ai-written-obituaries-are-a-booming-business-as-funeral-homes-turn-to-chatgpt.html [8] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/11/ai-written-obituaries-are-a-booming-business-as-funeral-homes-turn-to-chatgpt.html [9] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/16/technology/ai-pregnant-bots.html [10] https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-61078518
Technology is being used in unexpected ways within the death care industry, including the use of AI tools like ChatGPT to write obituaries (as a response to staffing shortages and rising demand). This trend, however, raises ethical considerations about the quality, sincerity, and emotional importance of memorializing loved ones through technology, due to concerns about accuracy, transparency, and emotional processing that come from manually composing tributes.
