Nothing pains a mother more than the loss of their child, so if you could spare them the pain of such a tragedy by deceiving them, would you do it? This is the dilemma that recently split Chinese netizens and sparked a heated online debate.

The South China Morning Post newspaper reported the unusual case of a family that commissioned an AI clone of a man killed in a car accident so his 80-year-old mother could continue communicating with him via video. Although details about the family have not been revealed, the case was made public by the developer of the digital clone, contacted by the deceased’s son. 

The digital model was reportedly created using photos, videos, and audio recordings of the deceased and ended up looking and sounding eerily realistic, using the same accent and distinctive speech pattern, and borrowing the same mannerisms, such as leaning forward when he speaks.

Photo: Unsplash

The man’s 80-year-old mother was never informed of his passing, and she continues to believe he is busy working in another city. To keep up the illusion and spare her the pain and sorrow in her old age, the family sets up video calls with the AI clone. The elderly woman urges her “son” to take care of himself, eat well, and wear warm clothes, while he promises to come by her place someday soon, when he is less busy with work.

The deceased was reportedly the elderly woman’s only child, and seeing as she also suffers from heart disease, her family decided to conceal the news of his passing from her.

The case sparked controversy on Chinese social media, splitting the public into two camps – one that believes that the family acted out of kindness and love for the octogenarian, and others who believe she deserved to know the truth rather than be reduced to talking to a digital clone.

This unusual story reminded us of the similarly heartwarming case of a police officer who pretended to be a woman’s deceased son for several years out of kindness.