Callum Worthy, a former child actor and Disney star, is facing backlash for introducing an app that enables users to create interactive AI videos of their deceased relatives.
Worthy, aged 34, revealed the app named 2wai by sharing a video of a woman who records her mother with the app. The recorded content can then be transformed into an AI-powered interactive presentation, allowing future generations to converse with the woman’s mother long after her passing.
“What if the loved ones we lost might be part of our future?” Worthy shared in a post on X.
“With 2wai, 3 minutes will last forever,” he asserted.
However, some users on X viewed the app as somewhat dystopian, with one comparing it to a dark episode of the series Black Mirror.
“This looks like the most disturbing episode of Black Mirror ever,” remarked one user. “Can’t wait!”
Another commenter expressed concern by equating the app to “necromancy.”
“This is necromancy. This is black magic. It seems harmless, but it’s using the essence of the dead for your own desires, with no agency on their part,” they wrote, criticizing the concept of turning memories into something like a digital doll.
Yet another user cynically wondered how long it would be before “Grandma” starts advertising products: “How long before grandma starts talking about the new prescription drug or the latest summer blockbuster?”
One commenter even suggested that the app diminishes the value of life: “If our loved ones can ‘live’ as AI, wouldn’t that be cheapening life?”
Nevertheless, some responses to Worthy’s announcement weren’t entirely negative.
“I love it! These self-righteous critics act like they have all the answers, while juggling morally questionable activities,” wrote one user.
“I don’t see a problem. Isn’t it just like passing down family stories or photos? It’s just more advanced technology. Isn’t that how progression works?”
2wai also features AI versions of notable historical figures, including William Shakespeare and Florence Nightingale, offered as “real-time teaching assistants” for a more immersive learning experience.
Worthy began his career as a child actor, gaining recognition for his role as Dez on Disney Channel’s Austin & Ally. He noted, “Having worked in entertainment for 20 years, I know how hard it can be to form genuine connections with audiences worldwide.”
“With the launch of 2wai, we’re opening up a whole new experience that feels as real as the holographic avatars we create,” he claimed.
