For many, obituaries play an essential role in mourning. They notify community members of a person’s passing and pay tribute to their life.
While the practice of sharing death notices originated in ancient Rome, modern obituaries developed in the 1930s and ’40s. Today’s format typically has four parts: a death announcement, a short biography, a survivors section, and information about funeral services or a celebration of life.
With recent technological advancements, artificial intelligence can now generate many types of content – including obituaries. In some instances, AI-generated content may be a helpful tool for friends and family members struggling with the emotional process of creating a written tribute, but AI also presents some peculiar and even disturbing problems.
According to Tech Crunch, one AI tool called Empathy assists survivors with the writing process. After users complete a survey, it generates AI text for the loved one who passed using the information provided. This service could help people whose grief hampers their ability to write an obituary who would not otherwise use professional writing services.
Yet when someone who did not know the deceased person uses AI to create an obituary, the results can be inaccurate and insensitive. When AI “hallucinates,” it produces made-up, incorrect information.
Undoubtedly, reading a death notice can stir up complex emotions. Seeing inaccurate or even outright false information can be particularly distressing.
After professional basketball player Brandon Hunter passed away in 2023, Microsoft published a piece calling him “useless at 42.” The publication of this insensitive and strangely worded online tribute led to speculation that AI created it. Artificial intelligence may have attempted to insert “useless” as a synonym for “dead,” said one news outlet.
There has been a rise in inaccurate, AI-generated obituaries since late 2023. This can pose a certain level of concern for those who have recently lost a loved one. In some bizarre cases, a purportedly deceased individual is still alive, and the fake obituary causes distress and confusion for their family and friends. In 2021, the head of social media platform Instagram found himself locked out of his own app after a fake announcement about his death circulated online. AI-created obits do not just affect celebrities but also target private individuals.
Some websites use inaccurate, AI-generated obituaries to make money by generating online traffic. According to one article on technology website The Verge, these sites use search engine optimization (SEO) tools to ensure their article comes up first when someone uses Google or another search engine to look for information about a person’s death. The more people view the content, the more revenue the sites can gain from their advertisers.
These questionable websites provide articles about various topics. The pieces are typically poorly written and do not offer much information about the person’s life. Instead, they use repetitive keywords for SEO purposes and dramatic headings to draw people to the website.
AI has fueled the practice of obituary scraping, which funeral homes have dealt with for more than a decade.
Obit aggregator sites such as Legacy.com and other, smaller sites search news articles and funeral home websites for death announcements. They take basic information like a person’s name, age, and details about the time and location of their funeral or memorial service. Using templates and now AI, they rearrange the content and republish it on websites riddled with ads.
In addition to profiting off the information, these websites can make life more difficult for survivors. Some sites provide inaccurate information about the date or time of the funeral. Others may ask for money for flowers or gifts, which do not arrive in time for the service.
Since these tributes use SEO to reach the top of Google results, they can obscure genuine obituaries written by close family and friends or reputable professional writers. Obituary scraping can frustrate those who want their obits to honor their loved one.
Several signs can indicate a scraped or AI-generated obit. For example, keep in mind the following to avoid clicking on fake obituaries by mistake:
Encountering an inaccurate obituary for a loved one or close friend can be distressing. You can take steps to protect yourself and others in your community.
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Estate planning involves various legal instruments, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. We specialize in estate planning, ensuring that your documents comply with the ever-changing state and federal laws. We can help you navigate intricate legal requirements, minimizing the risk of costly errors and potential disputes.
Every person's financial situation and family dynamics are unique. We will take the time to understand your goals and circumstances, allowing for the creation an estate plan that suits your individual situation.
We can assist you in structuring your estate plan to protect your assets from potential creditors, lawsuits, and taxation. Our experience can also help you employ strategies to minimize tax liabilities.
Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's assets are distributed. It can be time-consuming and costly. We can help you explore options to minimize or avoid the probate process, allowing your beneficiaries to receive their inheritances more quickly and efficiently.
When estate plans are unclear or disputed, it can lead to conflicts and legal battles. We can help you draft clear and legally sound documents that minimize the chances of disputes among heirs and beneficiaries. In the event that a dispute arises, we can also represent your interests and work toward an amicable resolution.
Estate plans need to be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect changes in your financial situation, family dynamics, and applicable laws. We can provide ongoing support and guidance, ensuring that your estate plan remains current and effective.
Engaging a law firm for estate planning provides peace of mind, knowing that your affairs are in capable hands. It allows you to focus on enjoying your life without the constant worry of what may happen to your assets and loved ones in the future.
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