A.I. Griefbots Are Just Our Latest Attempt to Talk to the Dead.

Dickey, Colin. “A.I. Griefbots Are Just Our Latest Attempt to Talk to the Dead: Emotional needs and technology have kept us searching for connections to the other side.” The New York Times, 10 July 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/style/00death-spiritualism-talking-to.html.

In this article, Colin Dickey explores how A.I. “griefbots” are the newest way people try to stay connected to the dead. He compares them to the 19th century Spiritualism movement when people used séances and mediums to speak with lost loved ones. Dickey explains that both show our deep desire to keep emotional bonds after death, just with new technology replacing old rituals. One example he shares is Andy O’Donnell, who used A.I. to recreate his late father’s voice so he could still talk to him. While these programs can bring comfort, Dickey also warns they may blur the line between memory and reality and raise ethical questions about grief and consent.

This article is a good source because it combines historical context with modern technology that could help readers understand the long history behind our desire to communicate with the dead. It’s published by a credible outlet, The New York Times, which adds reliability. Dickey also includes real examples and thoughtful analysis, making it both informative and balanced.