In a move that sparked a storm of controversy, journalist Jim Acosta interviewed an artificial intelligence-generated avatar of Joaquin Oliver, one of the victims of the Parkland school shooting. While the victim’s parents see it as a way to spread their son’s message, critics view it as a dangerous step toward normalizing misinformation and disrespecting the dead.
Article contents:
- A unique and controversial interview
- How was the avatar created?
- Online backlash
- Parents’ perspective: “A blessing to hear his voice again”
- Not the first time
- Ethical controversy: Between advocacy and misinformation
- Conclusion: A fine line between tribute and exploitation
- Frequently asked questions
A unique and controversial interview
Jim Acosta, former CNN White House correspondent, stirred controversy on Monday when he sat down for a conversation with a resurrected version of someone who died more than seven years ago. His guest was an avatar of Joaquin Oliver, one of the 17 people killed in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In the video, Acosta asks the avatar: “What happened to you?” Oliver replies in a flat, toneless voice: “I was taken from this world too soon because of gun violence while I was at school.”
How was the avatar created?
The video shows Oliver, captured via a real photograph and animated using generative AI. The avatar’s delivery was choppy and computerized. His facial and mouth movements were jerky and unnatural, looking more like dubbing than an actual person speaking. Oliver was 17 years old when he was shot and killed.
Online backlash
The former CNN anchor faced swift online criticism in response to this stunt. One angry user posted on the social media platform Bluesky: “There are living survivors of school shootings you can interview, and their words and thoughts would be real instead of completely fabricated.”
Parents’ perspective: “A blessing to hear his voice again”
Acosta said in the video clip that Oliver’s parents created the AI version of their son, and his father, Manuel Oliver, invited him to be the first reporter to interview the avatar. The father said he understands this is an AI version of his son and that it cannot bring him back, but it was a blessing to hear his voice again. He said he looks forward to seeing what AI can do further.
Not the first time
This is not the first time AI has been used to recreate Parkland victims. Last year, the parents of several victims launched a robocall campaign called The Shotline featuring the voices of six students and staff members killed in the mass shooting. The idea was to use AI voices to call members of Congress and demand action on gun control legislation.
Ethical controversy: Between advocacy and misinformation
Using AI to speak with versions of the dead remains a work in progress with imperfect movements and voices, and an endeavor steeped in ethical controversy. Critics say creating digital computerized avatars of real people and allowing them to stand in for the deceased opens the door to misinformation, deepfakes, and fraud, making it difficult for people to distinguish between what is real and what is not.
Conclusion: A fine line between tribute and exploitation
This “interview” places everyone in a gray ethical zone. While the parents may have the best of intentions to spread awareness, using the likeness of a deceased person to speak words they did not say raises deep questions about consent, respect, and the boundaries between advocacy and exploitation. It is a reminder that AI capabilities are evolving much faster than our understanding of how to use them responsibly.
Frequently asked questions
Were the avatar’s words Joaquin Oliver’s actual words?
No, the words were generated by AI, based on the message his parents wish to spread regarding gun violence. These were not his own words.
What is the purpose of this interview?
The purpose, from the perspective of the victim’s parents, is to use technology to keep their son’s memory alive and to advocate for gun law reform in the United States.
What are the main ethical concerns?
The concerns involve using a deceased person’s likeness without their consent (as they cannot give it), the risk of normalizing the idea of “talking to the dead” via AI, and the potential for this technology to be used to spread misinformation or exploit the tragedies of others.
