We already have fintech, healthtech, medtech, and a multitude of other techs. Now we have grieftech. Imagine leaving behind more than just a will and a box of photographs. A digital version of yourself that can answer questions, tell family stories, and even speak to your grandchildren in your exact voice.
The concept of an artificial intelligence afterlife is no longer science fiction. It is an emerging niche industry that allows the living to interact with digital replicas of the dead.
This technology is forcing legal professionals and families to rethink how we manage our digital legacies and estate plans in the modern era.
What is grieftech?
Generative artificial intelligence has given rise to a controversial new sector known as grieftech. Companies are using text messages, voice memos, and photographs to train AI models that simulate a human personality.
Services approach this concept from different angles. Platforms like HereAfter AI allow you to record structured interviews while you are still alive. The software then uses those audio recordings to create an interactive avatar that responds to questions from your family.
Other companies generate text-based chatbots using your digital footprint. Instead of pre-recording your life story, you or your family can voluntarily upload past emails, text messages, and social media posts to help algorithms mimic your writing style and sense of humor.
These services can range from a few dollars a month to thousands of dollars for premium, high-definition video avatars.
The legal gray area of digital ghosts
Creating a digital twin requires handing over a massive amount of personal data to a private company. When you sign the terms of service, you are essentially licensing your identity for posthumous use.
The problem is that laws surrounding postmortem digital rights are incredibly murky. Most states lack clear rules on who actually controls an AI-generated output after the original creator dies.
If the technology company changes its user agreement or files for bankruptcy, your family could lose access to your digital avatar entirely. Worse, your personal data and likeness could be transferred during a corporate acquisition. Relying solely on a commercial terms-of-service agreement to protect your postmortem identity is a fragile estate planning strategy.
If you have over $100,000 in savings, you may want to consider getting advice while you’re still alive. SmartAsset offers a free service that matches you to a vetted, fiduciary advisor in less than five minutes.
offers a free service that matches you to a vetted, fiduciary advisor in less than five minutes.The psychological impact on your family
Beyond the legal complications, you must consider the emotional toll a digital avatar might take on your surviving relatives. Psychologists warn that interacting with a hyperrealistic simulation of a deceased loved one can complicate the natural mourning process.
For some, hearing a familiar voice offers profound comfort and a much-needed sense of connection. For others, it can create an unhealthy emotional dependence. The AI might also generate responses that drift from your actual beliefs over time, misrepresenting your morals to future generations.
You must weigh whether a digital replica will be a gift to your family or an emotional burden.
Planning your digital afterlife now
Grieftech may sound futuristic, but the estate planning implications are very real. If you do not make decisions about your digital likeness and data, someone else may be forced to make them for you.
Your will should not only distribute property. It should clarify what happens to your online identity, your voice recordings, your messages and the data that could be used to recreate you. A few clear instructions today could spare your family confusion, conflict and second-guessing later.
If you want to stay in control of your digital legacy, take these steps:
- Create a digital inventory: Make a detailed list of your online accounts, cloud storage platforms, social media profiles and subscription services. Include notes about which accounts you want deleted, archived or transferred. Store access information securely using a reputable password manager.
- Name a digital executor: Choose someone you trust to handle your online affairs. This person should be comfortable with technology and willing to carry out your wishes regarding account closures, memorialization settings or potential AI use of your data.
- Use built-in legacy tools: Many major platforms allow you to designate a legacy contact or set account preferences in advance. Activating these features now can simplify the process for your loved ones and reduce delays or disputes.
- Put your wishes in writing: Work with an estate planning attorney to include specific language in your will or trust. State clearly whether you consent to having your voice, image or written content used to train an AI system. If you object, say so explicitly. Clarity matters. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
