Rolling Stone Magazine: Jim Acosta Just Interviewed an AI Version of a Parkland Victim

The parents of Joaquin Oliver—one of the 17 students killed in the 2018 Parkland shooting—have created an AI-generated avatar of their son to speak about gun violence prevention. On what would have been his 25th birthday, former CNN journalist Jim Acosta hosted a remote “interview” with the AI Joaquin on his Substack platform. The avatar, programmed from Joaquin’s voice, writings, and likeness, delivered statements calling for stronger gun control laws, mental health support, and more community engagement  .

While the Oliver family embraced the project as a heartfelt tribute and a way to keep Joaquin’s message alive, it prompted sharp ethical criticism. Viewers described the interview as “creepy,” “ghoulish,” and unsettling. Critics argued that survivors of gun violence could have shared more authentic perspectives, while supporters countered that the AI served as a powerful symbol of remembrance and activism 

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New York Post: Jim Acosta ‘interviews’ AI-generated avatar of deceased teenager promoting gun control message

The Guardian: Jim Acosta interviews ‘made-up’ AI avatar of Parkland victim Joaquin Oliver