AI recreation of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver sparks debate
The family of Joaquin Oliver, a 17-year-old killed in the Parkland, Florida school shooting, launched an AI version of their son to support gun control advocacy and keep his memory alive. The AI, trained on Joaquin’s old social media posts, “spoke” to ex-CNN journalist Jim Acosta in a recent Substack interview.
The teenager’s parents, Manuel and Patricia Oliver, say the AI also provides comfort. Patricia spends hours talking to it, hearing Joaquin say “I love you, Mommy.” 
But the move raises ethical and emotional questions. Joaquin’s AI persona is frozen at 17, unable to grow up, and could eventually be granted social media accounts and video uploads. Manuel admits the AI isn’t really his son and doesn’t try to “bring him back,” but the risks of the AI “hallucinating” or misrepresenting Joaquin worry experts.
The AI resurrection trend is starting to take shape. Families of other victims have used AI avatars in courtrooms, and music legends like Ozzy Osbourne have been digitally revived for concerts.
“I love you, Mommy.”
— Patricia Oliver, mother of Joaquin Oliver, on interacting with the AI avatar
Legal protections for the dead remain unclear. While identity theft laws for the living solidify, rights around AI-created digital ghosts are murky. Families could clash on whether to maintain these digital presences, complicating grief further.
Experts warn AI-driven avatars will soon be indistinguishable from real humans online, potentially fueling conspiracy theories or misinformation. Acosta’s interview with Joaquin’s AI already risks being weaponized by skeptics.
The trend reflects a growing market for synthetic companions amid rising loneliness, but resurrecting digital versions of the dead poses deep questions about mortality and identity.
The Joaquin Oliver AI stands as an eerie glimpse into what’s next — blending loss, technology, and activism into one complex package.
