A chilling advertisement surfaced online, depicting a woman seemingly reunited with her deceased mother through a new application. The image, quickly spreading across social media, sparked a firestorm of controversy and deeply unsettling reactions.
The app, promising a connection to those lost, allows users to create an interactive avatar based on a loved one. Critics were swift and harsh, branding the concept as “demonic,” “dishonest,” and a blatant exploitation of grief. Many questioned the ethics of turning profound sorrow into a commercial venture.
One particularly scathing comment accused the company’s founder of psychopathic behavior, highlighting the potential for emotional manipulation. The concern centered on the app’s subscription model, suggesting users would be trapped between financial burden and the permanent loss of contact with their digital recreation of a loved one.
The advertisement boldly claims a remarkably lifelike avatar can be constructed from as little as three minutes of recorded audio or video. The company’s slogan – “With 2wai, three minutes can last forever” – hints at the enduring nature of this digital echo, yet remains shrouded in mystery regarding its underlying technology.
Earlier this year, the company released an early version of the technology, allowing users to interact with a “digital twin” of themselves. Beyond recreating deceased individuals, the app also offers avatars modeled after fictional characters, historical figures, and even the company’s founder, a former Disney actor.
The concept resonates with a disturbing familiarity, echoing the premise of the science fiction anthology series *Black Mirror*. The episode “Be Right Back” explored a similar scenario, depicting a woman’s descent into grief and her reliance on an AI-powered recreation of her deceased boyfriend, ultimately leading to a haunting and unsettling outcome.
The technology raises profound questions about memory, loss, and the very nature of connection. While some may find solace in the possibility of continued interaction, others see a dangerous blurring of the lines between life and simulation, and a potentially harmful path for those grappling with bereavement.
