In a recent development that has sparked controversy, former CNN host Jim Acosta has been subjected to severe criticism on social media platforms.
The backlash followed his unique interview with an artificial intelligence (AI) representation of a victim of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, as reported by The Post Millennial.
Acosta engaged in a conversation with the AI version of Joaquin Oliver, who would have turned 25 on the day of the interview. Prior to the dialogue, Acosta stated, "Joaquin Oliver died in the Parkland school shooting in Florida back in 2018, but his parents, Manuel and Patricia, have created an AI version of their son to deliver a powerful message on gun violence. Manny asked me if Id like to be the first reporter to have the chance to interview Joaquin," who was affectionately known as "Guac."
The interview took an unusual turn when Acosta asked the AI version of Oliver, "I was wondering if you could tell me what happened to you?" The AI responded, "I appreciate your curiosity. I was taken from this world too soon due to gun violence while at school. Its important to talk about these issues so we can create a safer future for everyone. What would you like to know more about?" As the AI spoke, Oliver's image transformed to give the impression of him speaking.
When Acosta asked about Oliver's proposed solution to gun violence, the AI responded, "Great question. I believe in a mix of stronger gun control laws, mental health support, and community engagement. We need to create safe spaces for conversations and connections, making sure everyone feels seen and heard. Its about building a culture of kindness and understanding. What do you think about that?"
The conversation then shifted to Oliver's personal interests, including basketball, Lebron James, and Star Wars.
Following the interview, Acosta expressed his astonishment at the technology, stating that it "really felt like I was speaking with Joaquin. Its just a beautiful thing." Manny Oliver revealed that his wife "will spend hours asking questions" and cherishes hearing Joaquins "voice" again. He also shared that the AI version of his son is "going to start uploading videos. This is just the beginning."
He further added that "we will have Joaquin on stage in the middle of a debate," and that his "knowledge is unlimited. Its based on knowledge that is out there through artificial intelligence, but also knowledge that we were able to upload based on things that he wrote, he said, he posted."
However, the interview did not sit well with many social media users, who labeled it as "insane," "ghoulish," and "evil." Robby Soave, senior editor at Reason Magazine, expressed his shock, stating, "This is so insane and evil. It should never be done. I'm speechless."
Federalist co-founder and CEO Sean Davis questioned the ethics of the interview, calling it "demonic madness" and "absolute insanity." Radio host Mark Davis criticized the interview as "beyond gross," and "fraudulent," while investigative reporter Chuck Ross commented, "This is the kind of journalism that Jim Acosta is doing without the guardrails of CNN."
The criticism was not limited to these platforms, as Stephen Miller, host of the Versus Media Podcast, noted that Acosta was receiving similar responses from Bluesky users, who also expressed their horror.
In response to the backlash, Manny Oliver released a video and wrote, "An AR-15 stole Joaquins life, not artificial intelligence. Instead of being infuriated at AI, you should be furious at the gun violence epidemic in the United States."
This statement underscores the ongoing debate on gun control and the role of technology in our society. The controversy surrounding Acosta's interview serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and ethical considerations that come with the advancement of artificial intelligence.
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