Generative Ghosts: AI Afterlives & the Future of Memory

Event ID: PP1162381

Tue, Mar 17, 2026 | 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Venue: Salon D (Hilton Austin Downtown)

View on Official SXSW

Summary

As generative AI systems and AI agents increasingly model individuals, both living and dead, we find ourselves on the verge of a new kind of digital immortality. “Generative ghosts” are AI-based simulations that evoke or imitate human beings, created through personal data, online traces, or speculative design. But what are the social, ethical, and emotional consequences of engaging with these digital afterlives? This panel brings together thought leaders from academia and industry to explore the benefits and risks of AI-generated personas.

Contributors

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