A play about the Parkland shooting is somehow both poignant and entertaining
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Jim Acosta Defends AI Interview of Parkland Shooting Victim
Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta has been forced to defend his decision to host an interview with an AI avatar meant to mimic a 17-year-old victim of the 2018 Parkland school shooting. Acosta, who left CNN earlier this year to start The Jim Acosta Show, posted the video with the AI avatar to his Substack on Monday. It shows him conversing with an avatar representing Joaquin 'Guac' Oliver, who was one of the 17 victims of the mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. The independent journalist referred to the AI avatar as his 'first guest' on the hour-long show, and said that Oliver's parents created an 'AI version' of their son in order to deliver a 'powerful message on gun violence.' During the five-minute conversation between Acosta and the AI version of Joaquin—which spoke in a somewhat monotone voice that jumped multiple octaves at times—the two discussed Joaquin's death, solutions to gun violence, and Joaquin's hobbies while he was alive. The facsimile of Joaquin seemed to be responding in real time to Acosta's questions. 'I was taken too soon due to gun violence at school,' AI Joaquin said after Acosta asked it 'Can you explain what happened to you?' 'It's important to talk about these issues so that we can create a safer future for everyone.' At another point in the exchange, the AI avatar said, 'I'm all about love, laughter, and living life to the fullest. Though my life was cut short, I want to keep inspiring others to make change.' In addition to answering questions from Acosta, the AI version of Joaquin asked multiple questions itself, inquiring as to Acosta's favorite basketball team and his favorite moment from the Star Wars movies. As they spoke, the AI avatar resembled a human speaking, and the model generating it seemed to spontaneously generate imagery corresponding to the current topic of conversation. After the conversation with the AI avatar ended, Manuel Oliver joined the show to discuss the AI model of his son and its potential future. Acosta told Oliver it was 'inspiring' to 'finally' speak to one of the children involved in a school shooting. 'We've heard from the parents. We've heard from the politicians. Now we're hearing from the kids, which is so important.' Several of the Parkland survivors, including David Hogg and X Gonzalez, went on to found the organization March for Our Lives, which held nationwide protests against gun violence in 2018 and 2022. Notably, Hogg appeared on CNN several times while Acosta was a reporter at the network. Oliver, whom Acosta referred to as a 'good friend,' said that the avatar was 'just the beginning' of what AI could do to represent his late son. 'Joaquin is going to start having followers. He's going to start uploading videos. It's just the beginning,' Oliver said. Oliver told Acosta that he has no illusions about the AI avatar actually being his late son. 'I don't want anyone to think in any way I'm trying to bring my son back. Sadly, I can't. I wish I could.' Joaquin's father told the Daily Beast that a New York-based AI company produced the avatar, and that the interview with Acosta was 'the first ever interview with a victim of gun violence that's not here.' To make the avatar, Oliver provided the company with written materials Joaquin produced before he died, including fictional stories he wrote. Oliver said that he understands why some parents would be hesitant to use the technology, however, he thinks the AI avatar of Joaquin could help bolster advocacy for gun reform. On a deeper level, Oliver said that he savors his own interactions with the avatar. 'As a father, just to be able to hear my son's voice, that's worth it, no matter the criticism,' Oliver said. Still, some critics found the AI-fueled interaction disturbing and disrespectful. Ryan Saavedra, a reporter for the conservative outlet The Daily Wire, hammered Acosta on X for using an 'AI chat bot' to 'push partisan politics.' On the left-leaning social media platform Bluesky, more than 3000 users responded to Acosta's post announcing the episode—many of them critical of the episode. In a comment that received more than 300 likes, one user lambasted Acosta as 'an actual opportunistic ghoul.' Another user, who received 900 likes, addressed Acosta directly and wrote, 'You're interviewing ChatGPT, not Joaquin Oliver. Don't p— on my leg and tell me it's raining." The backlash was sufficiently strong that Acosta posted a video on his Bluesky account of Manuel Oliver defending the creation of the AI avatar and its use on the show. 'His son would be 25 today,' Acosta wrote in the caption accompanying the video, referring to Joaquin's birthday of August 4. 'If the problem you have is with the AI, then you have the wrong problem,' Manuel Oliver said in the video. In recent years, Oliver has become an outspoken advocate for gun reform and founded the organization Change the Ref. 'The real problem is that my son was shot 8 years ago.' Acosta defended his choice to do the AI interview to The Independent and reiterated that Joaquin's family reached out to him to arrange it. 'My heart goes out to them and I was honored to help them in this moment.'
New York Post
05-08-2025
- New York Post
AI version of Parkland massacre victim isn't the answer to any of our problems
On Monday night, former CNN blowhard Jim Acosta interviewed a slain victim of the 2018 Parkland, Florida, massacre. You read that correctly. Acosta, who now has his own Substack and accompanying YouTube channel, spoke with an artificial intelligence avatar of Joaquin Oliver — one of 17 victims senselessly gunned down by a deranged former classmate at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Advertisement 5 Former CNN reporter Jim Acosta interviewed an AI avatar of Joaquin Oliver (above) who was murdered in the 2018 Parkland massacre. The Jim Acosta Show Joaquin was only 17 when he died. Monday would have been his 25th birthday, surely a difficult day for his loved ones and a moment to lament his stolen future. 'Remembering Joaquin: AI Brings Voice to gun Victims' was the title of the episode. A rather strange summation from Acosta, who has made himself into a warrior against so-called disinformation. Advertisement In reality, it was more of a bizarre AI demonstration than an interview. Acosta asked the computer-generated stand-in about his own 'solution for gun violence.' 'Great question,' said the avatar. '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. It's about building a culture of kindness and understanding. What do you think about that?' Despite the likeness sounding robotic, Acosta acted like he was having a thoughtful human interaction. He went on to ask 'Joaquin' about his favorite movies and sports. Advertisement 5 Jim Acosta (left) also interviewed Manny Oliver about plans for his late son's AI avatar. The Jim Acosta Show ''Star Wars' is such an epic saga. The adventures, the characters and that iconic music are unforgettable,' the avatar responded, adding that he also likes the Miami Heat and LeBron James. 'Joaquin' ended each answer by tossing an automated-sounding question back to Acosta — bringing to mind the computer in the 1983 Matthew Broderick movie 'War Games.' And yet Acosta continued with the unsettling charade. He noted that we've heard politicians' takes on the shooting, but 'now we're hearing from one of the kids. That's important.' Advertisement It's also false. And grotesque. Like a dystopian plot come to life. We were hearing not from a victim but an uncanny-valley likeness uploaded with activist talking points and, according to his father, Manny Oliver, some of Joaquin's own writings and social media posts. 5 Joaquin Oliver, who was killed in the Parkland shooting, is seen on the right with his parents Manny and Patricia. The Jim Acosta Show Acosta was rightly and roundly criticized for 'interviewing' an AI avatar. In response to the backlash, the victim's father said, 'If the problem you have is with the AI, then you have the wrong problem. The real problem is my son was shot.' No one is arguing that last part. The massacre in Parkland was the result of many systemic failures, and a bloody stain on our history. I understand that the Oliver family's grief must be so immense that they'll do anything to keep their son's legacy alive. However, it's not about how Joaquin died, but the decision to resurrect their son as an activist with Acosta aiding and abetting this dangerous delusion. The whole endeavor raises ethical questions and further muddies our already twisted reality. 5 The massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School left 17 innocent people dead. AFP/Getty Images Advertisement Are we really hurtling toward transhumanism this quickly? Do the dead have any say in how they are used after they leave this Earth? Joaquin's father emphasized that he understood this is indeed AI and that he cannot bring back his son. But, he said, hearing his child's voice brings comfort to him and his wife. No one should deny them that private pursuit of comfort. But he is also hoping his son's AI becomes an influencer. In 2024, Manny Oliver and his gun-control group 'Change the Ref' also used his son's voice to send a message to members of Congress, urging them to vote for more gun control measures. Advertisement 5 Manuel Oliver, seen with his wife Patricia Oliver and a photo of their son Joaquin, also formed the gun-control activist group Change the Ref. Larry Marano 'Now Joaquin is gonna start having followers … He's going to start uploading videos. This is just the beginning,' said Manny, adding that 'moving forward, we will have Joaquin on stage in the middle of a debate. And knowledge is solid. His knowledge is unlimited.' But can a computer really know the thoughts and soul of a human being? Advertisement Using AI as a vessel isn't going to save the world or stop gun violence. From what I've seen thus far, it will just add more well-meaning but ultimately nonsubstantive sentiments to this contentious subject. Let's not be like Acosta and pretend otherwise.
Buzz Feed
17-07-2025
- Buzz Feed
Joaquin Phoenix Apologizes For Letterman Interview
Joaquin Phoenix apologized for his 2009 Late Show with Dave Letterman interview, because why not. In yonder late '00s, Joaquin appeared on the talk show to talk about his 2008 movie Two Lovers and his purported pivot from acting to rap. Seemingly confused, he mumbled his way through the interview, leading some to conclude that he'd had some kind of mental breakdown. Some noted at the time that Joaquin's older brother, River, had died from a drug overdose. After a string of similarly confounding appearances, it was finally revealed that Joaquin was actually in character for the 2010 mockumentary I'm Still Here. "You've interviewed many, many people and I assumed that you would know the difference between a character and a real person," he told Letterman the following year. "I apologize. I hope I didn't offend you in any way." Anyway, last night, Joaquin returned to The Late Show for the first time since the whole debacle — and it didn't take long for Stephen Colbert to bring up the incident. When Stephen asked how long Jaoquin stayed "in character," he replied, "We shot for over a year. I did not anticipate as part of the promotion for a film that I had made, I was coming on this show. And so I was stuck." As for whether people would ever get "mad" or "misunderstand" the bit, Joaquin replied, "That was part of it. I mean, that was the intention. That's what we wanted. When I came on the show with Dave, I originally did the pre-interview in character, and I realized that it was a little silly. So, I called them back and I said, 'Listen, this is what I'm doing. I'm telling you, I'm coming out here and I'm doing this whole thing, and I just want Dave to lacerate me.'" "I just wanted to be really dangerous," he continued. "That was the intention, right? We just always wanted to get this reaction and see how I would respond to that. So, it was beneficial for no one to know, except when needed. It was horrible. It was so uncomfortable. I regret it. I'll never do it again. I'm so was a success, and it was also just one of the worst nights of my life." You can watch the full interview with Joaquin here.
