Researchers from the Shree Devi Institute of Technology are working to develop technology that would make it possible for the living to communicate with the dead — at least digitally.

Inspired by the Replika AI app, which allows users to simulate their personality for other users to interact with, researchers Shriya Devadiga and Bhakthi Shetty in a new study explored the digital trail left behind after a person's death. Items included on that digital trail include everything from text messages, photos and other digital items that a loved one may have forgotten.

As such, researchers wanted to give those grieving for a loved one a place where they could reminisce.

“So our main objective was to explore ways of relieving the pain of this loss, at least bitwise,” said Devadiga.

Using Replika AI, researchers created AI-powered chat bots based on digital memories along with accounts of that person’s life from loved ones and friends.

“An invite link is sent to users, which, when opened, allows communication with a replica of a deceased person. Using all of their past online communications and social media profiles, the service creates a new virtual human, and you just start talking to them, like you would on WhatsApp or any social media,” explained Devadiga.

The authors determined that the technology could one day be used to develop a 3D digital avatar that behaves like the deceased person thanks to cloud-based data about that person. The team also envisioned a humanoid robot that could be operated within a 25 mile radius of the activation point.

However, the team acknowledges that such technology might have psychological implications for those interacting with it, and will consequently, continue to examine what those implications are before bringing the technology to market.