The Effect of Artificial Intelligence on the Concepts of Death and Mourning: The Example of Thanabot

Abstract

Today, technological developments, especially artificial intelligence, have significant impacts in many different fields. The concepts of death and mourning are also affected by these developments and, in a sense, are transformed. The purpose of this article is to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on the transformation of the concepts of death and mourning through thanabots. For this purpose, the concepts of death and mourning were examined in their social and historical context by conducting a literature review, and then the transformation they have with digitalization was mentioned. At the end of the study, the possible effects of thanabots are discussed with inferences from the literature. According to this; it is possible to say that the effects of using thanabot will vary from person to person. In this sense, this technology can have positive effects, especially for those who are grieving. However, it is possible to say that thanabots have potential problems such as their commercial size, how much they will represent the deceased, the risk of secondary loss for mourners and software security. In addition, it is important that research on this technology is carried out by taking into account differences at both individual and social levels.