As time goes on and AI advances, things just keep getting stranger and stranger. It’s starting to get weirdly dystopian with AI, too. Mix that with a little exploitation of someone’s death and you have a total recipe for disaster. That’s what happened recently when several churches, one of which is in Texas, got together in light of Charlie Kirk’s death. What did they believe would be the best way to show tribute to the conservative activist? They decided to make an AI version of Charlie Kirk speaking beyond the grave.
The video was shared to r/Qult_Headquarters, which showed an image of Charlie Kirk and his AI-generated voice speaking. In the clip, he is heard saying, “I want you to know I’m fine. Not because my body is fine, but because my soul is secure in Christ.” Not-Actually-Charlie-Kirk continues, “Death is not the end; it’s a promotion.” His AI version then tells all the churchgoers in the Texas church they need to double down on speaking the truth. What truth is that? Who knows at this point?
Not-Actually-Charlie-Kick doesn’t stop. “Double down on your faith and on your families. That is how you honor me.” He then tells them, “Get back in the fight. Do it with joy.” The way they take advantage of people’s feelings in an actual church setting is really astounding, when you think about it. To make it worse, this wasn’t just one church acting alone. It turns out, at least three large churches showed the same imagery with Charlie’s AI-generated voice.
It also makes sense to add the churchgoers were absolutely swayed by this outlandish display. According to the Independent, the Charlie clip received a standing ovation from those in attendance. So, not only is Charlie Kirk’s death being exploited by conservatives, the attendees are being exploited, too.
Commenters were either not surprised at all or very surprised by the way churches decided to pander. One commenter noted, “Bro, churches have always been this goofy, just the technology has changed.“ Another person said, “I cannot believe this is real life right now. Did we maybe all die in 2020 and are in the bad place? Has to be.” Truer words couldn’t be spoken.
