Algorithmic Resurrection: Ethical Dilemmas in the Digital Resurrection of Historical Figures: What Will Your Digital Legacy Be—And Who Gets to Decide?

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Title

Computers with Salaries and Cemeteries

Abstract

The rapid development of AI technologies, particularly in the realm of digital resurrection, presents profound ethical challenges that straddle the boundaries of industry, philosophy, and science fiction. This chapter explores the ethical implications of using generative AI to recreate historical figures, with a specific focus on the tension between historical fidelity and creative interpretation. By examining case studies such as the digital recreation of Mary Sibley, the chapter delves into the moral responsibilities of those who develop and deploy these technologies. How does the act of bringing historical figures “back to life” intersect with issues of authenticity, consent, and the commodification of cultural heritage? Drawing on philosophical debates about identity, memory, and the nature of personhood, this chapter seeks to articulate a framework for navigating the ethical landscape of digital resurrection. The chapter also considers how science fiction has prefigured these dilemmas, offering both cautionary tales and speculative solutions that resonate with contemporary technological practices. In doing so, the chapter contributes to a broader discourse on the role of AI in shaping our understanding of history and humanity, raising critical questions about the future of digital immortality.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-03169-3_17

Publication Date

10-2026

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