Digital Afterlife AI News

Digital replica APIs market projected to reach $2.4 billion by 2036, South Koreans use AI videos to remember deceased loved ones, China curbs AI companions as tech companies limit chatbot featuresArtificial intelligence companies are expanding digital replica technology across business, marketing and bereavement services, as developers build systems that can generate personalized videos, simulate emotional conversations and recreate deceased loved ones. The digital replica APIs market is projected to grow from $145 million in 2026 to $2.4 billion by 2036, according to Fact.MR. The expansion is bringing new scrutiny from regulators and researchers. China has introduced restrictions on AI companions that encourage emotional dependency, while studies and emerging services are examining whether replicas of deceased people can comfort mourners without creating new risks involving consent, privacy and emotional attachment.Ginger Liu is the founder of Hollywood PR consultancy Ginger Media & Entertainment, a journalist and researcher on technology and entertainment, an MFA photographer and filmmaker, and host of the podcast Digital Afterlife: Hollywood & AI Tech