An IT director from Toronto called corporate life quits after doctors told him his son had an ultra-rare neurodegenerative disease with no cure. They said his boy would be paralyzed from the waist down by 10 and quadriplegic by 20. Dad liquidated his savings and teamed up with researchers working on a promising gene therapy. Years later, his son received the treatment and can now stand up.
Life after death: AI chatbots bringing lost loved ones back
© Dzmitry Ryzhykau | Dreamstime.com
For me, the holidays are when I miss my parents, grandparents and loved ones who’ve passed away the most. But maybe we can still keep our lost family and friends with us in a different way.
You see, there’s been an upsurge in people tapping into AI to create virtual versions of their loved ones. I wanted to get a deeper look, and now you can, too.
We are so back
Founded in 2017 (ancient history in tech time), StoryFile offers a couple of options to immortalize loved ones while they’re still on Earth.
At the basic level, a laptop and webcam capture their image and likeness in an interview-style fashion — by an actual historian, for an extra fee. StoryFile’s AI uses the material to create a digital persona. Today, over 5,000 people have created profiles.
Loved ones can ask the persona a question, then the system sifts through corresponding interview clips to find an intuitive response. Just imagine a loved one you’d love to chat with again.
Another company, HereAfter AI, came along in 2019 and added another element: Interactive videos where subjects make eye contact, breathe and blink as they respond to questions. It’s super lifelike … but also surreal.
Legends live on
You might be thinking, “So, who’s doing this?” The answer: Folks from all walks of life.
Lynne Nieto, founder of Life Fitness, created a StoryFile before her husband passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease. She did it mainly for their grandchildren. She watched the file for the first time about six months after he died. Lynne says it was a little hard to view, and it felt a bit raw.
I’m not surprised to hear that. I don’t know how I’d feel about seeing my mom or dad again, but I’m pretty sure it’d be overwhelming.
StoryFile interviewed actor Ed Asner eight weeks before he died in 2021. They sent Ed’s StoryFile to his son, Matt, who couldn’t believe his eyes. He says it was like his dad was looking right at him, answering his questions.
Sip happens
😋 Only food and drink upgrades that slap.
- An automatic dispenser ($20) does the pouring for you.
- These metal straws (22% off) come with a carrying case.
- Get a coaster set (10% off) for no more rings on your table.
- Dull blades? This sharpener (30% off) makes them like new.
- A sandwich cutter (30% off) slices crusts and seals edges.
- Keep your snacks fresh with a container set (20% off).
🎁 Got your Father’s Day gift? Shop my ultimate gift list now, so it shows up by this Sunday.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Save your dad’s stories forever
This Father’s Day, sit down with your pops and record his best memories. Here’s the way to do it.
❤️ A father’s love: An IT director in Toronto called corporate life quits after doctors told him his son had an ultra-rare neurodegenerative disease with no cure. They said his boy would be paralyzed from the waist down by age 10 and quadriplegic by 20. Dad liquidated his savings and teamed up with researchers working on a promising gene therapy. Years later, his son received the treatment and can now stand up. So wonderful.
50 years young
The oldest skateboarder at this year’s Olympics. Father of three Andy Macdonald will compete for Britain alongside his two teenage teammates (paywall link). Both of them are younger than Andy’s oldest kid. And get this: It’s his first Olympics, so he’s def not skate-bored.
Trailer: 'Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey'
Netflix’s new docuseries revisits the infamous 1996 murder mystery. It includes interviews with JonBenét’s father and unpacks the embarrassingly bad investigation, media circus, and, of course, the ransom note.
Father’s Day flex
🎁 For the dad who says he “doesn’t need anything.”
- Muscle knots? This massage gun (30% off) helps him chill.
- A set of fresh cologne (33% off) packs four bold scents.
- This hairbrush ($21) keeps his beard looking sharp.
- Get him a multitool ($10) that’s part knife, part screwdriver.
- These rolling grill baskets ($24) are a must for any BBQ.
🛒 Two weeks to shop: Check out my Ultimate Father’s Day Gift List for more picks he’ll want to use.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Make a Father’s Day card with AI
Ditch the cheesy store cards. Use ChatGPT to turn your favorite photo into a custom keepsake.
No faux pa’s here
📅 Father’s Day is (checks date) just three weeks away. I did the digging for you.
- For the dad who loves to grill, get a BBQ grilling set (20% off).
- Let him kick back on a comfy backyard lounge chair (15% off).
- He’ll laugh at these socks (54% off) that say “I’m not sleeping.”
- This pocket-size multitool ($28) can do 21 different things.
- Go the nine yards, literally, with a golf ball stamper ($14).
- Tangled belts? A hanger organizer ($8) will keep them tidy.
🧢 More dad-approved picks: Check out my Father’s Day Ultimate Gift List for more finds he’ll actually use.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Neuralink’s third implant
Brad Smith, a father of three, is Neuralink’s third implant recipient and the first nonverbal patient to get it. Hear his amazing update in this short podcast.
This is bad: Cops are using facial recognition to find suspects, and they’re sometimes skipping collecting other evidence before making an arrest. Case in point (paywall link): Christopher, a 29-year-old father, was wrongfully arrested for assaulting a security guard based on a blurry video still. It took more than two years to clear his name.
Son gifts dad the car he sold to buy diapers 40 years ago
Father takes on website after son's tragic death
This episode discusses suicide. If you’re struggling, reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You’re not alone.
Last year, Brett Allred’s world shattered when his 23-year-old son, Riley, took his own life. While searching Riley’s phone for memories, Brett found screenshots of a website with step-by-step instructions on how to die. Now, he’s on a mission to shut it down.
Official trailer for 'All the Light We Cannot See'
Drawing from the acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “All the Light We Cannot See” shares the story of Marie-Laure Leblanc, a young blind girl seeking solace alongside her father and reclusive uncle in the sheltered confines of St. Malo, France, during World War II.
Bootleg weight loss drugs, spying smart devices & incognito mode tips
Plus, ever wondered about tech giants’ biggest flops? Allie hops on the show to give us a rundown. Cathay from Seattle is having a rough go sorting through her late father’s 15 computers — I share some ways to ease her journey. Peek into the data your car collects on you, and the undercover map tracking your moves.
July 8th, 2023
In this week’s show, MOVEit-related data breaches have touched 200 major institutions. Plus, Apple’s “My Photo Stream” is shutting down — you need to back your photos up now. And how a father is getting back at robocallers that cursed out his son with AI. That and much more, plus all your calls and questions.
Man makes QR code for father's gravesite to share his legacy | The Kim Komando Show
When Michael Bourque’s father John Harold Bourque passed away in 2017, he wanted to honor him in a special way. As a veteran, carpenter, husband, and father, John lived a remarkable life that deserved to be celebrated. Michael came up with a unique way to do just that.
Is Netflix's algorithm protected by the First Amendment?
How could a show violate the law? Listen now to learn why a father is suing Netflix.
The inventor of the cellphone on his first-ever call and what's coming next
Cellphones completely changed the way we communicate. One of the most influential figures behind the tech? Marty Cooper, known as the Father of the Cellphone. In this episode, Kim and Marty take a trip down memory lane. He tells the story of his first mobile call. No, it was definitely not to his wife.