Former CNN reporter Jim Acosta is facing significant backlash for conducting an “interview” with an AI-generated version of Joaquin Oliver, a teenager who was tragically killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting.
The AI avatar was created with the consent of Oliver’s parents in hopes of advocating for stricter gun control laws.
Acosta shared snippets of this unusual interview on social media, stating, “I had an interview with Joaquin Oliver, who passed away in 2018 during a tragic incident at Parkland School.” He posed questions to the AI avatar regarding solutions to gun violence.
The AI’s responses suggested a combination of stricter gun laws, mental health care, and community involvement as necessary steps toward creating a safer environment.
He was criticized by individuals from across the political spectrum for what many are calling an inappropriate and sensational approach to journalism.
One critic commented, “This isn’t a real interview. It’s unethical and exploitative,” while another remarked that Acosta seemed to engage in “journalism without any ethical boundaries.” Mark Hemingway, from RealClear Investigations, added that the entire exercise felt opportunistic, indicating that less scrupulous journalists often resort to such tactics.
Others noted that it seems Acosta only supports the use of AI narratives when they align with his own political views. Some detractors expressed discomfort, saying it’s concerning that grieving parents feel compelled to turn to AI to “revive” their children, raising questions about journalistic ethics in such scenarios.
Joaquin was one of 17 victims during the devastating attack at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, perpetrated by former student Nicholas Cruz. After the tragedy, his father, Manuel Oliver, has been active in advocacy and even performed a play about his son’s story.
Oliver has expressed skepticism toward politicians’ ability to resolve such issues, emphasizing the need for evolving societal understanding around critical topics like climate change and gun violence.
