What happened

Wu Wuliu, a 24-year-old man from Shanghai, created a digital avatar of his late grandmother using photos and voice recordings to develop a lifelike version of her personality and speech, enabling him to engage in conversations that mimic their real interactions. 

He released a recording of a conversation with this AI grandmother on popular Chinese video platform Bilibili, which quickly went viral. 

Wu explained that his motivation was the deep emotional bond he shared with his grandmother and his struggle with grief, seeking solace by "talking" with her again.

Online opinion was divided, with some raising concerns about the authenticity of similar digital beings, peoples' emotional dependence on AI, and the psychological impact on those grieving. 

Why it happened

Wu's motivation to create a virtual avatar of his late grandmother stemmed from their close relationship and the emotional struggle he faced following her death, and he sought to alleviate his grief by creating an interactive experience that allowed him to "talk" with her again. 

His actions reflect a broader trend in China where individuals are increasingly turning to AI technologies for comfort after losing loved ones.