Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta has been criticized on social media for his AI-generated interview with the avatar of Joaquin Oliver, a Park, who was killed in the Parkland shooting in 2018. The interview, conducted with an AI avatar created by Oliver’s father, has sparked outrage and accusations of ethical misconduct. Social media users have slammed Acosta for using the deceased teen’s avatar for political content, calling the act ‘grotesque’ and ‘ethically questionable.’
Acosta’s interview with the AI-generated avatar, promoted as a conversation on his Substack platform, has faced intense backlash from both liberal and conservative groups. Bluesky users questioned the morality of the act, with one user calling it a ‘grotesque puppet show.’ Others on the platform accused Acosta of misrepresenting the nature of the ‘interview’ as a conversation with a dead teenager. The post, which was shared on the social media platform, has generated significant discussion and criticism. The post was also linked to Acosta’s decision to disable comments from non-followers, further fueling the controversy.
The incident has drawn attention from various political commentators, with Stephen L. Miller, a conservative political commentator, labeling Acosta’s actions as ‘ghoulish’ and calling the AI-generated conversation ‘a demonic act.’ Additionally, Townhall and The Federalist have also criticized the interview, with one outlet calling it ‘disturbing’ and another referring to it as a ‘demonic’ act. Acosta defended his actions by stating that he had been approached by Oliver’s father to create the AI conversation, and he had been promoting gun control through the medium. However, the backlash has continued, with many users calling for greater ethical considerations in the use of AI technology for political advocacy.
Meanwhile, Acosta has shifted his media platform from CNN to Substack, where he continues to provide a platform for progressive commentary and host liberal guests. Despite his move, the controversy surrounding his AI interview with Oliver’s avatar has continued to draw public attention and scrutiny. The incident highlights the ethical dilemmas of using AI to represent deceased individuals in political discourse, especially when dealing with sensitive topics like gun control and mass shootings.