With just a full-face photo, 20 yuan can make the person in the photo move, 50 yuan can make someone speak, and 90 yuan can reproduce the original voice... The Qingming Festival is approaching, and "AI resurrects relatives" has sparked heated discussions . With the development of AI (artificial intelligence) technology, people can use technical means to "resurrection" their loved ones to express their grief. However, due to the ethical and legal risks involved, the controversy is not small.

Phenomenon

"AI Resurrection" sparks heated discussion

　　Recently, musician Bao Xiaobai used AI technology to "resurrect" his daughter who died of illness. This heartwarming scene moved many netizens. Not long ago, Mr. Sun, who lives in Fushun, Liaoning, used AI face-changing technology to transform himself into the appearance of his late father and reported to his 91-year-old grandma that he was safe. It was extremely touching.

　　"AI resurrects relatives" allows relatives who have been separated forever to interact. This is originally a good thing, but it has also crossed the line and changed the taste. In order to gain traffic, some bloggers have used AI technology to "resurrection" public figures such as Coco Lee and Qiao Renliang without authorization, attracting the attention of a large number of fans. The father of singer Qiao Renliang made it clear that he was "uncomfortable" with this behavior and requested that the relevant videos be removed from the shelves.

　　Although "AI resurrection" is deeply controversial, people always have emotional needs in this regard. In the comment area of ​​the "AI Resurrection" short video on the Douyin platform, many netizens expressed their desire to "resurrect" their loved ones. A netizen who was raised by his grandfather wrote a comment: "Can you help me? I miss my grandpa..."

Business

"Resurrection" tutorial is popular all over the Internet

　　After the turmoil, the popularity of "AI resurrection" has increased instead of falling. The reporter found that on Taobao, Douyin and other platforms, many people have begun to do business related to "AI resurrection". Some sellers claim that they can "resurrection" their loved ones for just a few dozen dollars with a full-face photo, while others "teach people how to fish" and become entrepreneurial mentors and start selling courses.

　　Is the "AI Resurrection" course easy to learn? The reporter learned from the interview that, unlike what he had imagined, the "resurrection" tutorials sold online only cost a few yuan at least. On Taobao, the reporter spent less than five yuan to buy a tutorial, and soon the seller sent a link to the network disk. After downloading, the course package contains several videos, including project introduction, preliminary preparation, practical videos, monetization methods, etc. Each step is clearly arranged.

　　According to the introduction in the tutorial, "AI resurrection" is mainly divided into two steps: the first step is to obtain real-person audio, and train the AI ​​to master the real-person voice. After the training is completed, you only need to enter text to generate a voice with real-person voice; The second step is to generate a video. After uploading a real photo, import the produced sound to achieve the "resurrection" effect.

　　According to reports, this method can not only "resurrect" relatives, but can even make the "Mona Lisa" in Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting speak. The seller said that "AI Resurrection" is currently very popular across the Internet and can easily earn a thousand yuan a day.

technology

The higher the price, the better the effect

　　What kind of effect can "AI resurrection" have? The reporter noticed that on the e-commerce platform, most merchants provided “resurrection” services at prices ranging from a dozen yuan to several thousand yuan. If you just ask the characters in the still photos to make facial expressions, such as blinking, smiling, turning their heads, etc., it usually costs more than ten or dozens of yuan. If the voice file of the deceased is provided so that the character can "speak" and match the mouth shape, the cost will be around 100 yuan depending on the effect and duration. However, these are "two-dimensional" digital human images, and the characters' movements and expressions are relatively stiff and devoid of any emotions.

　　If you want to present a video with real-life effects, it must also have vivid facial expressions, body movements, and original sound effects. Professionals say that this kind of "resurrection" will cost at least tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of yuan to start. With relatively complete technology and funds, realizing “digital immortality” is no longer a dream.

　　A technician said that generative AI technology is now relatively mature, and R&D personnel with some technical foundation can operate it by downloading relevant software. And ordinary people who don't understand technology at all can also complete "resurrection" works under guidance. However, the technician also said that the current technology can basically restore the appearance and sound, but because everyone has different behavioral habits and different details, the technology cannot achieve a complete reproduction effect. He believes that if "AI resurrection" can meet people's emotional needs, there is nothing wrong with it. But be careful to avoid unauthorized “consumption” of the deceased.

extend

Digital funeral services have already been launched

　　With the progress of society, death is no longer a taboo topic. The reporter noticed that AI technology has actually entered the funeral field in recent years. Last year, an "AI ritual" service appeared in Shanghai, which can create a "digital human" for the deceased and plan a personalized memorial ceremony for them. This year, a cemetery in Zhejiang also launched the first digital memorial place to provide personalized memorial services.

　　The application of digital technology in the funeral field has also been implemented in Beijing. Last year, Babaoshan Etiquette Co., Ltd. cooperated with Beijing Jiuli Digital Technology Co., Ltd. to launch digital technology funeral pilots in five municipal cemeteries including Taiziyu Cemetery and set up a "digital cemetery." The so-called digital technology funeral refers to a new burial and memorial method that uses the Internet, multimedia technology, and integrates sound, light, and other scientific and technological means to integrate burial, etiquette, and memorial services. In digital technology funerals, each tomb has an electronic screen, which not only has the function of retaining ashes, but also displays the voice and smile of the deceased, so that relatives can comfort themselves.

　　Speaking of "AI resurrection", Wang Shan, the person in charge of the digital cemetery, believes that "AI resurrection" includes "digital immortality", which itself is suitable for application in the field of funeral services. He said that the main content of funeral services is extending from "funeral" and "burial" to "sacrifice" and "inheritance". From this perspective, digital technology can preserve the voice and smile of the deceased and achieve spiritual sustainability, and its application scenarios are very broad. "It's a very meaningful thing."

　　It is understood that there are currently 739 sets of ashes buried in digital cemeteries across the city, and more and more people are beginning to accept this new type of funeral service. In the past year, the Digital Cemetery has received 132 pennants and 87 praises from the 12345 hotline, which was unimaginable in the past. A citizen said in a letter of thanks that the digital cemetery has realized many unimaginable functions of memorial sweeping, allowing the image of her father to be reproduced and arousing endless memories for her.

　　Currently, Beijing’s digital cemetery has also introduced AI technology to achieve the effect of “resurrecting relatives”. However, this service has not yet been officially launched due to ethical issues and other issues. "Some people support it, and some people oppose it. 'Resurrection of relatives' is a very personal matter, and it must be approved by the relatives of the deceased." Wang Shan said that the controversy over "AI resurrection" is mainly a conflict between technology and ethics. The application of new technologies requires an adaptation process.

Discuss

Set boundaries that cannot be exceeded

　　From this point of view, "AI resurrection" is actually a double-edged sword. How can we make good use of this technology so that the living can be comforted without "crossing the line"?

　　Yang Xiao, a lawyer at Huayi Law Firm, said that the legal prerequisite for "AI resurrecting" the deceased should not cause mental pain to their close relatives. If it is based on the request of close relatives and the blessing of AI technology is used to meet the grieving needs of relatives, there is nothing wrong with it; however, if this method of "resurrection" without relatives' permission, using AI technology to "resurrection" will face the infringement of the portrait, reputation, and privacy of the deceased and other legal risks for personal rights and interests.

　　Yang Xiao said that how to fully protect and respect individual emotions and personal dignity while new technologies are widely used is a new ethical and moral dilemma that today's society is facing. "We call on industry supervision and related legal systems to be refined and improved as soon as possible through patching, so that technological progress can not only comfort people's hearts, but will not exceed the boundaries of morality and law."

　　Juli Dimension is an artificial intelligence technology company focusing on the research and development of virtual digital human technology. Its commercial director Liu Xuefei said that "AI resurrection" is a technology that warms people's hearts. He hopes that everyone can make good use of this technology while embracing new technologies. Technology, privacy protection and the use of personal data should be paid more attention to.

　　Regarding the controversy caused by "AI resurrection", what answer will AI give? The reporter entered "Where is the boundary of AI technology for resurrecting loved ones" into the conversation box and got this answer:

　　"The boundaries of AI technology for resurrecting loved ones should be established on the basis of respecting the deceased, protecting the rights and interests of family members, abiding by laws and regulations, understanding the limitations of technology, and paying attention to mental health and social and cultural differences. By setting and observing these boundaries, the technology can be ensured The application is reasonable and reasonable, minimizing negative impacts.”

　　Beijing Evening News reporter Wang Qipeng