A newly launched app by former Disney actor Callum Worthy lets users engage in conversations with AI versions of their deceased loved ones. This has triggered a wave of backlash online, with many labeling the technology as “vile,” “diabolical,” and likening it to the unsettling narratives of the series “Black Mirror.”
Worthy, recognized for his role in the Disney Channel show “Austin & Ally” from 2011 to 2016, has introduced his app, 2wai. A promotional video for the app quickly garnered over 40 million views, with numerous comments urging for its removal.
In one video, a pregnant woman utilizes 2wai to interact with her deceased mother’s avatar. Years later, her child, now a 10-year-old boy, engages with the bot on his way home from school. Eventually, Worthy, portraying the now 30-year-old woman, tells the avatar about her impending status as a great-grandmother.
The app claims that just three minutes of video footage can create a lifelike AI avatar, as highlighted in its advertisements. It’s currently available for free on the Apple Store, with plans for an Android release soon, alongside premium features.
Critics argue that this innovative app is dangerous and could potentially inflict severe psychological damage on those who are grieving. One user expressed strong disapproval on social media, labeling it as one of the most appalling things they had ever encountered.
Another user remarked: “Are you really considering canceling your subscription and never having a conversation with your deceased parents again? You’re a psychopath. Please seek help, and halt these developments before they lead to serious harm.” Others echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that death and mourning are natural aspects of life, and this technology risks fostering unhealthy dependencies.
Concerns have been raised that the app’s lifelike avatars, designed for interactive conversations, might lead some users into a state of psychosis or in extreme scenarios, even suicidal thoughts. One commenter went as far as to call the creation of these avatars “Satanic” and expressed a strong rejection of the idea of living on through an AI representation.
Some online critics couldn’t help but draw parallels between the app and an episode from “Black Mirror,” where a woman uses technology to recreate her deceased partner. This connection to that episode has intensified debates around the ethical implications of such a technology.
Worthy, along with co-founder Russell Geyser, envisions their AI startup as a safe means for creators to assert control over their likenesses and enable meaningful conversations with fans. They have reportedly secured $5 million in initial funding from personal networks.
In addition to creating avatars for others, 2wai also allows users to make a “digital twin” — an avatar that mirrors oneself and shares the same memories. Worthy has his own avatar, which he uses somewhat like a “living diary,” sharing anecdotes from his Disney experiences to connect with fans.
The platform also includes pre-existing avatars, such as a William Shakespeare bot and various original characters. Worthy has stated that the aim of the project is to “build humanity’s living archive, one story at a time.”
