It has been over seven years since Joaquin Oliver was killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. He was one in all 17 victims shot on the faculty in 2018, in response to Axios.

AI Joaquin spoke in favor of “stronger gun control laws, mental health support and community engagement.”(@OfficialJoelF/ X)

Joaquin’s dad and mom at the moment are utilizing AI to present their son a brand new voice. They plan to make use of it as a part of their marketing campaign in opposition to gun violence.

Who was Joaquin Oliver?

Joaquin Oliver was a 17-year-old pupil killed within the 2018 faculty taking pictures at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, per Change the Ref.

Born in Venezuela on August 4, 2000, he moved to the US along with his household on the age of three. He grew to become a US citizen in 2017. His family and friends known as him “Guac.” He was recognized for being humorous, sort, and artistic.

On Monday, an AI model of Joaquin appeared on The Jim Acosta Show. The AI Joaquin spoke in favor of “stronger gun management legal guidelines, psychological well being help and group engagement.”

“I used to be taken from this world too quickly because of gun violence whereas in school. It’s vital to speak about these points so we will create a safer future for everybody.”

AI Joaquin mimics Joaquin’s voice and character

Joaquin’s father, Manuel Oliver, advised Acosta that the “AI Joaquin” makes use of his son’s voice and his previous social media posts and writings to repeat his character.

The AI clone can also be educated on “data that’s on the market by means of synthetic intelligence,” Oliver mentioned.

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Oliver household plans AI Joaquin’s social media and speeches

Oliver and his spouse Patricia co-founded the gun violence advocacy group Change the Ref. On the present, Manuel mentioned they need AI Joaquin to have his personal social media accounts and finally communicate in particular person.

“Now Joaquin is going to start having followers. It’s not Manny, it’s not Patricia. He’s going to start uploading videos.”

“Moving forward, we will have Joaquin on stage in the middle of a debate.”

Oliver mentioned that on a private degree, he and his spouse cherish with the ability to hear Joaquin’s voice once more.

“Patricia will spend hours asking questions. Like any other mother, she loves to hear Joaquin say, ‘I love you, Mami.'”

But Oliver additionally mentioned, “I understand that this is AI. I don’t want anyone to think that I am in some way trying to bring my son back. Sadly, I can’t.”

Criticism in opposition to the AI video

The interview precipitated robust reactions on-line. A Washington Post story mentioned many individuals criticized using AI to carry again somebody who has died.

Hany Farid, a professor on the University of California, Berkeley, who research digital forensics, advised the Post, “This sort of interview style can’t possibly represent what that child wants to say in any reasonable way.”

“There are plenty of opportunities to talk to real victims and have a serious conversation about this epidemic that’s happening in our country without resorting to this sort of stunt.”

This is just not the primary time the Olivers have used AI to share Joaquin’s message. In 2020, an AI Joaquin appeared in a video selling voter registration. In it, he talked about not with the ability to vote within the presidential election and his frustration over the dearth of motion to cease shootings.

Oliver responded to critics in an Instagram video, saying Joaquin “has a lot of things to say” and “thanks to AI, we can bring him back.”

“If the problem that you have is with the AI, then you have the wrong problem. The real problem is that my son was shot eight years ago. So if you believe that is not the problem, you are part of the problem.”

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