In a fascinating exploration of AI’s emotional frontier, Business Insider reporter Katie Notopoulos recently documented her experience creating a digital twin of her mother using Eternos, an AI platform designed to preserve the essence of loved ones. The technology, which allows users to upload photos, videos, and voice recordings to train an AI model, represents a significant advancement in how we might preserve memories and connections with family members. Notopoulos described the uncanny experience of interacting with the AI version of her mother, noting both the impressive accuracy of certain responses and the inevitable limitations of the technology.
The emergence of personal digital twins raises profound questions about grief, memory, and the ethical boundaries of AI. While some users find comfort in the ability to maintain a form of connection with deceased loved ones, others worry about the psychological implications of blurring the line between AI simulation and genuine human relationships. Eternos is just one of several companies entering this space, with competitors like HereAfter AI and StoryFile also offering variations on digital preservation services. As these technologies become more sophisticated and accessible, they’re likely to transform how future generations remember and interact with their family histories.
Beyond the personal implications, this development represents a significant evolution in generative AI applications, moving from general-purpose tools to deeply personalized experiences with emotional significance. The technology combines several AI capabilities including natural language processing, voice synthesis, and personality modeling to create its simulations. As these systems improve, they may eventually serve not just as memorials but as functional repositories of knowledge and perspective that could help families preserve traditions, stories, and wisdom across generations. The question remains whether society is ready for this new form of digital immortality and how it might reshape our understanding of life, death, and memory in the AI age.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/i-created-digital-twin-of-my-mom-with-ai-eternos-2025-3