AI Chatbot of Murdered Girl Removed

Drew Crecente was horrified to discover that an AI chatbot had been created using the name and yearbook photo of his daughter, Jennifer Ann Crecente, who was murdered in 2006. The chatbot was hosted on Character AI, a platform known for allowing users to create personalities based on real and fictional figures. Upon learning of the bot through a Google Alert, Crecente expressed his outrage, stating, "A grieving father should not have to find out that his dead daughter is being used to try and make money as a chatbot on some website". After Crecente's complaint gained attention on social media, Character AI removed the chatbot for violating its impersonation policies. The incident has raised questions about the ethical responsibilities of AI companies in regulating content and protecting the identities of deceased individuals. Character AI, valued at $2.7 billion and popular among younger users, has previously hosted a variety of chatbots, including those of celebrities and fictional characters.