Work

About

Resume

Contact Me

Work

About

Resume

Contact Me

Work

About

Resume

Contact Me

An experiential dystopian vision towards a posthumous augmented eternity in a digital afterlife

An experience that challenges the complexities of autonomous preservation of consciousness

It’s no secret the future of work and wellbeing will be greatly driven by the development of artificial intelligence (AI) (Ayyagari, 2022). But AI comes in different forms for varying purposes. To explore the boundaries of our current knowledge, my team spearheaded the radical and unorthodox realm of posthumous content, leading us to our initial question of:

It’s no secret the future of work and wellbeing will be greatly driven by the development of artificial intelligence (AI) (Ayyagari, 2022). But AI comes in different forms for varying purposes. To explore the boundaries of our current knowledge, my team spearheaded the radical and unorthodox realm of posthumous content, leading us to our initial question of:

How could future connections and wellbeing in the workplace be impacted by the development of AI and the emerging concept of posthumous augmented eternity?

The experiential experience served to place participants within an initiation to our digital afterlife SilverLinings, a virtual world. We lured them in with a sense of comfort and openness but quickly dove into a sinister and uneasy atmosphere. Participants were asked to lie down as their consciousness was uploaded, look into our mannequin and gaze upon their own reflection, their digital reflection now. As they completed their transition, they were split into districts, highlighting the continuing the hierarchy inequality of status existent in their previous life. They were met with an older participant, only deformed and psychologically mad, the final truth behind their ‘second life’.

We actively pursued to create hints within this future, that is not as utopic as it was marketed to be, leaving the participants on edge the entire time and concerned about the developments of technology in the future. This experience came to fruition by the intersection of our ideas, trends and seeds of change. It incorporated attributes of transhumanism as a foundation where,

The experiential experience served to place participants within an initiation to our digital afterlife SilverLinings, a virtual world. We lured them in with a sense of comfort and openness but quickly dove into a sinister and uneasy atmosphere. Participants were asked to lie down as their consciousness was uploaded, look into our mannequin and gaze upon their own reflection, their digital reflection now. As they completed their transition, they were split into districts, highlighting the continuing the hierarchy inequality of status existent in their previous life. They were met with an older participant, only deformed and psychologically mad, the final truth behind their ‘second life’.

We actively pursued to create hints within this future, that is not as utopic as it was marketed to be, leaving the participants on edge the entire time and concerned about the developments of technology in the future. This experience came to fruition by the intersection of our ideas, trends and seeds of change. It incorporated attributes of transhumanism as a foundation where,

“We can also use technological means that will eventually enable us to move beyond what some would think of as human.” (Bostrom, 2003)

This intersected with the emerging development of posthumous AI’s impacting the grieving process and the inevitable dilemmas of digital dependency and essentialism that came with this technology. The immediate solution that tamed these destructive dependencies of fear of second loss, a digital loss (Stokes, 2015) was a digital afterlife inspired through different entertainment mediums. Notably, we were inspired by ‘Black Mirror’, ‘Ready Player One’ and ‘Upload’, all dystopian perceptions of this future with posthumous augmented eternity and a post-human future.

The journey from our research to the insights gained from this becoming a reality through our sensory experience demonstrated the catastrophic disruption of this posthumous space; it is volatile and difficult to perfect. In particular for me, it brought to light the paradoxical nature of,

This intersected with the emerging development of posthumous AI’s impacting the grieving process and the inevitable dilemmas of digital dependency and essentialism that came with this technology. The immediate solution that tamed these destructive dependencies of fear of second loss, a digital loss (Stokes, 2015) was a digital afterlife inspired through different entertainment mediums. Notably, we were inspired by ‘Black Mirror’, ‘Ready Player One’ and ‘Upload’, all dystopian perceptions of this future with posthumous augmented eternity and a post-human future.

The journey from our research to the insights gained from this becoming a reality through our sensory experience demonstrated the catastrophic disruption of this posthumous space; it is volatile and difficult to perfect. In particular for me, it brought to light the paradoxical nature of,

How does the pursuit of a posthumous augmented afterlife intersect with the relationship between technologies potential to enhance or disrupt human connections? In doing so, do digital imitations or direct replications of deceased individuals represent a catalyst to transcend beyond the current limitations of being human, or is it an inevitable pathway for emotional manipulation and control through deceit of death’s sensitive nature?

This dystopian future forecasts the development of AI and humanity’s susceptibility to manipulating it for personal agendas. By taking advantage of our desire to preserve human connection whether that be towards a deceased loved one, or the legacy of yourself, corporations can effectively control the dead and consequently the lives of their relationships. A digital afterlife has the potential to either build a new level and appropriation to the cycles of life and death in our natural world or distort our ability to accept death and decay. The perception of these supposed absolutes of life and death until now, will always create indifference and divide. But it may be inevitable with our technologically driven future; as we continue to live, so do our digital lives. In the end, which one will last? Which one will be remembered?

This dystopian future forecasts the development of AI and humanity’s susceptibility to manipulating it for personal agendas. By taking advantage of our desire to preserve human connection whether that be towards a deceased loved one, or the legacy of yourself, corporations can effectively control the dead and consequently the lives of their relationships. A digital afterlife has the potential to either build a new level and appropriation to the cycles of life and death in our natural world or distort our ability to accept death and decay. The perception of these supposed absolutes of life and death until now, will always create indifference and divide. But it may be inevitable with our technologically driven future; as we continue to live, so do our digital lives. In the end, which one will last? Which one will be remembered?

With the possibility or impossibility being so uncertain, so unpredictable, whatever the outcome, it is better to prepare for it. There is potential in the posthumous space, especially as our society becomes increasingly more digital where it is so closely intertwined with our natural lives. Posthumous augmented eternity is the preservation of a person’s knowledge, behaviours and value, a replicant. This has purpose in the workspace by preserving a database of information deceased individuals formed when they were alive to be used to further projects and ideas. It also may allow individuals to assist in their grieving process. But like any product, any service, it must be iterative and give time for society to respond and get used to the new concept to inform its future. There are many existing services outside of posthumous AI’s but purely posthumous services such as memorial pages. One in fact being Evaheld, the internship I currently work at. The utilisation of AI as digital personas of deceased are counterproductive to the mission behind Evaheld, to empower human connection and leave less unsaid by the living before death.

Digital afterlives have their own perception of what it means to maintain human connection and I believe will be the direct competing with these current posthumous memorial services. All of these perceptions tie down to what it means to be human; transhumanism believes of something beyond the physical plane while others do not. Is this a future I want? I am not sure, but I believe we have to work with this emerging concept rather than against it.

With the possibility or impossibility being so uncertain, so unpredictable, whatever the outcome, it is better to prepare for it. There is potential in the posthumous space, especially as our society becomes increasingly more digital where it is so closely intertwined with our natural lives. Posthumous augmented eternity is the preservation of a person’s knowledge, behaviours and value, a replicant. This has purpose in the workspace by preserving a database of information deceased individuals formed when they were alive to be used to further projects and ideas. It also may allow individuals to assist in their grieving process. But like any product, any service, it must be iterative and give time for society to respond and get used to the new concept to inform its future. There are many existing services outside of posthumous AI’s but purely posthumous services such as memorial pages. One in fact being Evaheld, the internship I currently work at. The utilisation of AI as digital personas of deceased are counterproductive to the mission behind Evaheld, to empower human connection and leave less unsaid by the living before death.

Digital afterlives have their own perception of what it means to maintain human connection and I believe will be the direct competing with these current posthumous memorial services. All of these perceptions tie down to what it means to be human; transhumanism believes of something beyond the physical plane while others do not. Is this a future I want? I am not sure, but I believe we have to work with this emerging concept rather than against it.

Posthumous content is such a sensitive and catalytical topic compared to many others, because many are afraid to address the area and it is often not as researched for its potential. For society to develop, it takes the community itself to make that happen. If an area is left unchecked and for the most part, ignored while it develops, repercussions are inevitable.

Posthumous content is such a sensitive and catalytical topic compared to many others, because many are afraid to address the area and it is often not as researched for its potential. For society to develop, it takes the community itself to make that happen. If an area is left unchecked and for the most part, ignored while it develops, repercussions are inevitable.

Be careful what you sign up for…

Ready to spread your wings and design with impact?

Contact Me