In a quiet studio in London last month, a grandmother shared stories about her childhood in the 1950s, her first love, her proudest parenting moments, and her thoughts on happiness. The twist? She passed away two years ago.
Her digital twin, created by LifeX using conversational AI and lifelike visual modeling, now preserves her personality, voice, and memories – and speaks to her family, friends, and even future generations.
It’s not science fiction anymore. It’s real, and it’s happening now.
Blurring the Line Between Real and Replica
The question on everyone’s mind isn’t whether we can build digital twins – it’s how real they’re going to get.
With LifeX leading the charge, digital twins are becoming increasingly indistinguishable from the real people they’re modeled after. These AI-powered avatars can hold natural conversations, reference personal memories, and even display emotional nuance in voice and tone. Their facial expressions are responsive. Their personalities adapt over time.
“It’s no longer about creating a chatbot,” says Scott Lester, Founder at LifeX. “It’s about preserving someone’s essence – how they speak, how they think, and how they made people feel.”
Why It Matters
The implications are enormous. Families are using digital twins to preserve loved ones’ stories and legacies. Brands are using them to create intelligent customer experiences. Celebrities are licensing their digital selves to extend their careers. And some are even choosing to “future-proof” their wisdom by recording their lives into AI for their grandchildren – and great-grandchildren—to speak with one day.
“Imagine a world where your child can get advice from their great-grandfather… in his own voice,” says Lester.
It’s powerful. It’s emotional. And it’s raising serious questions.
Not Imitation. Continuation.
Still, LifeX aren’t trying to trick anyone – they’re building tools for connection. For remembrance. For legacy.
“The goal isn’t to replace humans,” says Lester. “It’s to make sure they’re never forgotten.”
So, will there come a time when we can’t tell the difference between a real person and a digital twin?
The better question might be: would we want to?
Because if that time comes… it won’t be about imitation.
It will be about continuation.
