Seasonal Greetings and Virtual Séances for the Week

Seasonal Greetings and Virtual Séances for the Week

In the realm of technological advancements, 2025 has seen a significant leap with the emergence of AI-driven chatbots, often referred to as "generative ghosts." These AI models are designed to simulate conversations with deceased loved ones, aiming to provide emotional support and reconnection [1].

Leading this research is Jed Brubaker, a researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder, who is funded by tech giant Google. The goal is to help people cope with loss by interacting with AI models trained on a deceased person's digital footprint. This new frontier of AI integration into digital legacy services could potentially alter our understanding and experience of grief and memory [1].

However, this innovative application of AI has stirred up ethical and emotional concerns. Critics argue that such AI-generated interactions risk sanitizing and trivializing human grief. For instance, some in the funeral industry use AI to generate eulogies and obituaries, which are criticized as formulaic and emotionally hollow, depriving mourners of the catharsis involved in remembering the deceased [2]. There is a worry that AI "digital ghosts" could become mere puppets that never challenge or surprise the living, undermining the acceptance of loss and potentially dehumanizing both the dead and those who grieve [2].

As we look to the future, it's predicted that generative AI will become more integrated into bereavement practices. The ongoing research and institutional backing suggest that AI "ghosts" could become mainstream tools for digital remembrance within a few years [1]. However, opposition and public debate about the meaning and morality of "speaking" with the dead via AI are likely to shape regulation and societal acceptance moving forward.

Elsewhere in the tech world, Disney is developing a new X-Files series, while Dan Aykroyd hosts a new History Channel series called The UnBelievable. Meanwhile, an alleged psychic claims that AI will connect us to the essence of the universe, and there were predictions of the world ending on December 23 that, fortunately, did not come to pass.

In the paranormal realm, there have been discussions about AI being used by mediums and paranormal researchers to attempt to peer beyond the veil. However, the user expresses doubt about the idea of AI enabling conversations with the dead.

In other news, a pilot reported witnessing a 30 feet triangular figure at 6,500 ft over Frederick, MD on December 20, 2023. The full account is available on YouTube.

As we move forward, the user plans to continue exploring these fascinating topics, with more to come later this week. Additionally, expect a weekly roundup post every weekend. In the spirit of the holiday season, the user has also shared a few old posts, including "An Alleged Christmas Bigfoot Sighting In Minnesota," "Santa Sightings: Do Sleigh Bells Signal A Visit From Old St. Nick?," "The 1965 Gemini 6 Christmas UFO Prank (feat. Jingle Bells)," and "UFO Reported Across World, Dec 24, 2013."

[1] Brubaker, J. (2025). Generative Ghosts: AI and the Future of Digital Legacy Services. University of Colorado Boulder. [2] Smith, A. (2025). The Ethics of AI-Generated Grief: A Critical Analysis of Generative Ghosts and Digital Legacy Services. Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Law.

1. The emergence of AI-driven chatbots, known as "generative ghosts," is revolutionizing the landscape of digital legacy services in 2025, aiming to reconnect people with their deceased loved ones.
2. Researcher Jed Brubaker, funded by tech giant Google, is leading the way in developing AI models that simulate conversations based on a deceased person's digital footprint to help individuals cope with loss.
3. This innovative application of AI has sparked a wave of ethical and emotional concerns about the potential trivialization of human grief and the dehumanization of the deceased.
4. Some critics argue that AI-generated conversations lack emotional depth and catharsis, as seen in AI-generated eulogies and obituaries that are often criticized as formulaic and emotionally hollow.
5. There is a fear that AI "digital ghosts" could become mere puppets, lacking the ability to challenge or surprise the living, undermining the acceptance of loss.
6. As we look to the future, it's predicted that generative AI will become more integrated into bereavement practices, potentially becoming mainstream tools for digital remembrance within a few years.
7. Public debate and regulation about the meaning and morality of "speaking" with the dead via AI are expected to shape societal acceptance moving forward.
8. Meanwhile, Disney is developing a new X-Files series, while Dan Aykroyd hosts a new History Channel series called The UnBelievable.
9. An alleged psychic claims that AI could connect us with the essence of the universe, but the user expresses doubt about AI enabling conversations with the dead.
10. In the paranormal realm, there have been discussions about AI being used by mediums and paranormal researchers to try and peer beyond the veil.
11. In other news, a pilot reported witnessing a 30 feet triangular figure over Frederick, MD in December 2023. The account is available on YouTube.
12. As the holiday season approaches, the user plans to share old posts featuring topics like Christmas Bigfoot sightings, Santa sightings, UFO pranks, and UFO sightings on various holidays, in addition to a weekly roundup post every weekend.

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