Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are enabling the creation of digital videos that bring deceased loved ones back to life in a virtual sense. This technology, which has gained traction in South Korea, allows families to experience a unique way of remembering those who have passed away.
The Rise of AI Video Services
Several tech companies in South Korea have started offering services that produce AI-generated videos featuring the likeness and voice of deceased family members. One notable user of this service is Lee Geon Hui, a 28-year-old office worker who commissioned a video for his father, who deeply missed his own father, Lee's grandfather, who died in an accident before Lee was born.
Lee crafted a script that the technology firm Vaice transformed into a video. In this digital recreation, Lee's grandfather, brought to life by AI, conveyed heartfelt messages, expressed remorse for past actions, and shared pride in his family's current achievements.
Emotional Impact on Families
Initially hesitant, Lee's father was moved to tears after watching the video. Lee recounted, "At first, my dad said he wouldn't watch it. But after he did, he cried. I felt a sense of fulfillment at that moment." This illustrates the profound emotional impact that such technology can have on families.
Growing Popularity and Debate
The trend of using AI to create memorial videos is rapidly gaining popularity, with numerous startups entering the market. Additionally, television programs are featuring AI renditions of deceased actors and entertainers. However, this phenomenon also raises ethical and psychological concerns among some observers.
Yong Man Ro, an AI expert from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), pointed out that this technology presents both opportunities and challenges. He stated, "As AI becomes integrated into human life, it can create new cultural experiences while also posing unprecedented challenges." This duality is essential to consider in discussions about the implications of such technologies.
How AI Video Creation Works
Jeongu Won, CEO of Vaice, revealed that the company services approximately 300 customers each month, predominantly individuals in their 40s and 50s looking to create tribute videos of their deceased parents. Many clients choose to produce these videos as gifts for their living relatives, often incorporating the memories of grandparents who have passed away.
To create a video, the company requires just a few photographs and short voice samples of the deceased. The resulting video lasts between three to five minutes and is priced starting at around $390, or approximately Rp 7 million. Most customers prefer to write the messages themselves, often filled with affection, apologies for unresolved conflicts, and prayers for those left behind.
These AI-generated videos have become popular during memorial services and family gatherings, offering a unique way to honor and remember loved ones.
Source: https://tekno.kompas.com/read/2026/07/26/19020087/ai-bisa-hidupkan-orang-meninggal-dalam-video-tarifnya-rp-7-juta
