On August 30, 2023, I woke up excited yet filled with unacknowledged dread as I approached my wedding in 10 months. The emotional weight of planning the wedding was heavier than I anticipated. My father passed away when I was three, and it's been over two decades, yet I still find myself wondering what my life—and this moment—would look like with him here. Additionally, we lost Cole, my fiancé Jesse's brother and a dear friend, unexpectedly in 2021 at age 28. Gina Moffa, a grief specialist, explains that feelings of loss resurfacing during significant moments are normal, as they are entrenched in our memories. As I sought ways to cope with my grief for our wedding day, I turned to artificial intelligence (AI), wondering if it could provide comfort amidst longing for those we've lost. Grief is complex, encompassing confusion, sadness, and loneliness, and many avoid expressing their struggles. The U. S. Census Bureau reported that nearly half of Americans have lost one or both parents, illustrating that this feeling of loss is pervasive. AI applications, particularly generative AI, can simulate human-like conversations and provide creative tools for memorializing loved ones.

While Moffa acknowledges a potential therapeutic benefit in using AI for crafting speeches or ideas to remember those we've lost, she emphasizes that it can never replace genuine human connection. There's a concern about over-relying on AI, as it could prevent grieving individuals from processing their loss naturally and lead to unhealthy habits. In my inquiry, I asked ChatGPT if grief ever ends, receiving a response that emphasized the uniqueness of each person's grief timeline. I explored creating hypothetical speeches from my father and Cole for the wedding, which stirred mixed emotions. While AI can create emotional content, Moffa cautions against substituting AI for real relationships and highlights the importance of relying on friends and therapists for support. Concerns also arise regarding privacy when sharing personal memories with chatbots. Providing detailed information can enhance personalization but also risks exposing sensitive data. Thus, users must remain cautious about the information they share. Applications like Seance AI and Replika allow users to simulate conversations with the deceased, but experts warn that this can distort reality and create false hope. Emphasizing that technology cannot replace authentic connections, mental health professionals advocate for real-life interactions as the most healing approach. Grief is inherently personal, and while AI can offer a semblance of connection, it cannot replicate the depth of human relationships. Ultimately, technology helps keep the memories of lost loved ones alive, but true healing comes from embracing the reality of loss and relying on supportive human connections. As I navigate my grief, I will always carry my father and Cole in my heart rather than through artificial means.