In the near future, people would be kept alive forever so that they are on hand to talk and interact with living relatives. This was the suggestion of Simon McKeown, an academic at the Animation and Post Production department of Teesside University.
McKeown's claim is anchored on the advanced capability of computers within the span of 50 years to develop synthetic digital life. With this technology, which McKeown called "Preserved Memories," people could supposedly construct an avatar based on their past activities, preferences and history on social media, The Telegraph reported. It will also involve a process called photogammetry that can accurately reconstruct a 3D-image of a person from past photographs and videos, according to City A.M.
"In the future with Preserved Memories, you will never have to experience the loss of a loved one," McKeown said. "You will be able to add to your family tree and select new family members, including famous faces and legends, all of whom will already know about you."
McKeown and his peers began referring to the avatar as a future "life form" that would know every detail that a person experiences such as exam results, driving test outcomes, holiday experiences, love life and so forth. The avatar will absorb data feeds and could interact with people in the context of their physical well-being and emotions. This allegedly ensures that the avatar evolves digitally and never dies.
McKeown's "Preserved Memories" concept is being presented at the ongoing Brave New World Exhibition in Dox Centre for Contemporary Art. It is classified as an artificial intelligence technology and is on exhibit until January next year.
