Artificial Intelligence is changing how people deal with loss, giving rise to what experts call the digital afterlife industry. From comforting reconnections to disturbing deepfakes, AI is being used to digitally “resurrect” the dead — a practice growing rapidly across continents.

In Russia, the Final Meeting project allows widows to recreate lost husbands using wedding photos, generating videos for as little as $30. In China, entire companies specialize in “resurrection services,” producing talking avatars of deceased loved ones.

The technology has spread beyond private grief. In India, the late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was digitally brought back for public ceremonies, while in the U.S., an AI recreation of a slain veteran was used to speak in a courtroom.

However, critics say the line between tribute and exploitation is fading. Hamas recently released an AI-generated video of its leader for political messaging, prompting global concern over misuse.

Celebrities and psychologists have also sounded the alarm. Actress Zelda Williams has condemned AI imitations of her late father Robin Williams, calling them “horrendous.” Experts warn such technology may trap mourners in emotional replay rather than helping them heal.

Despite controversy, the “digital resurrection” business is thriving — expected to be worth $80 billion by 2035. As AI advances, the question remains: Can technology comfort the living, or will it keep us chained to the dead?