Experts warn of ethical, psychological, and legal concerns, including consent, dignity of the deceased, and potential harm to the mourning process, and call for clearer laws on image and voice rights plus restrictions on commercial use.

Industry growth is accelerating, with celebrities and TV programs featuring AI recreations and startups exploring interactive chatbots, though practitioners acknowledge risks of misalignment between a chatbot’s words and facial expressions and the need for supervision.

A growing number of bereaved South Koreans are using AI to create short simulated videos of deceased relatives, often as gifts or memorials.

Industry players report demand rising, with thousands of customers monthly; Vaice alone notes about 300 customers per month in digital memorials.

Industry voices note mixed experiences: some customers report no harm, while others stress the importance of limits and responsible use as technology evolves.

Industry players acknowledge risks and call for safeguards, signaling parental consent signals in death-related content, while debates continue on supervision, regulation, and social impact.

The article may include anecdotes illustrating how families curate and share AI recreations and the platforms or technologies involved.

June 12, 2026 event in Seoul featured a digital likeness in a video clip watched by a family, highlighting real-world usage and imagery.

Overall, the field is evolving rapidly, balancing practical uses in family rituals and memorials with ongoing ethical and regulatory discussions.

Adoption is rising and the tech is advancing, including efforts to improve real-time conversational AI and lifelike detail in likenesses.

Despite concerns, some families report profound emotional impact from a single viewing, though effects vary and can be transient.