AI “deadbots” are persuasive — and researchers say, they’re primed for monetization

['Chloe Veltman', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] TPR: The Public's Radio 2025-08-26 19:19:08

As researchers raise the alarm about the potential commercial exploitation of AI deadbots, they point out that the deceased have been promoting products on screen for decades. The AI avatars of Joaquin Oliver (left) and Chris Pelkey (right). Hutson co-authored several studies about deadbots, including one exploring the ethics of using AI to reanimate the dead. (Deadbot companies like Hereafter and Project December currently monetize their products through paid subscriptions or by charging an upfront fee.) (The European Union does have legislation that seeks to put guardrails around the use of AI, but it does not specify deadbots.)