Latest news with #TheJimAcostaShow
Axios
5 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Parents of Parkland shooting victim use AI to "bring him back"
It's been over seven years since Joaquin Oliver was gunned down at his Parkland high school, one of 17 victims killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in 2018. With the use of artificial intelligence, he just did his first press interview. Why it matters: Joaquin's parents are using AI to give their son a new voice, which they plan to use in their yearslong campaign against gun violence. In an interview Monday on " The Jim Acosta Show," an AI rendering of Joaquin's face advocated for "stronger gun control laws, mental health support and community engagement." "I was taken from this world too soon due to gun violence while at school. It's important to talk about these issues so we can create a safer future for everyone." What they're saying: Joaquin's father, Manuel Oliver, told Acosta that the "AI Joaquin" uses the 17-year-old's voice and his past social media posts and other writings to mimic his personality. The AI clone is also trained on "knowledge that is out there through artificial intelligence," Oliver added. What's next: Oliver, who co-founded the gun violence advocacy organization Change the Ref with his wife Patricia, said on the show that they want AI Joaquin to have his own social media presence and eventually address audiences in person. "Now Joaquin is going to start having followers. It's not Manny, it's not Patricia. He's going to start uploading videos." "Moving forward, we will have Joaquin on stage in the middle of a debate." On a personal level, Oliver said he and his wife cherish being able to hear Joaquin's voice again. "Patricia will spend hours asking questions. Like any other mother, she loves to hear Joaquin say, 'I love you, Mami.'" Yes, but: Oliver added, "I understand that this is AI. I don't want anyone to think that I am in some way trying to bring my son back. Sadly, I can't." Friction point: A Washington Post story said the interview sparked an "intense backlash" online, as critics took issue with using AI to reanimate the dead. "This sort of interview style can't possibly represent what that child wants to say in any reasonable way," Hany Farid, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who specializes in digital forensics, told the Post. "There are plenty of opportunities to talk to real victims and have a serious conversation about this epidemic that's happening in our country without resorting to this sort of stunt." This isn't the first time the Olivers have backed the use of AI to send a political message using Joaquin's likeness. In a 2020 video promoting voter registration efforts, an AI version of Joaquin talks about not being able to vote in the presidential election and his frustration with the lack of action to prevent more shootings. The other side: Oliver responded to critics in an Instagram video saying Joaquin "has a lot of things to say" and "thanks to AI, we can bring him back." "If the problem that you have is with the AI, then you have the wrong problem. The real problem is that my son was shot eight years ago. So if you believe that is not the problem, you are part of the problem."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- 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.'
Sky News AU
7 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Disgraced' ex-CNN anchor slammed for ‘ghoulish' interview with AI-generated deceased teenager
Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta has been widely criticised for his recent interview on his Substack show 'The Jim Acosta Show'. In an episode on Monday, the liberal journalist promoted a message on control alongside an AI-generated avatar of a deceased teenager. The teen, Joaquin Oliver, who was killed in the Parkland High School shooting in 2018, appeared as an AI avatar on Acosta's show. For the ex-CNN host's Monday show, he worked with the gun control group 'Change the Ref', which was founded by Oliver's parents. The interview has been slammed by social media users, with many accusing Acosta of using a deceased teenager to push a message of gun control. 'Jim Acosta who took great offense to being labelled fake news is now conducting fake interviews with dead people for content and clicks,' wrote one user.
Irish Independent
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Top American journalist will be guest speaker at Wexford summer school
On Saturday, August 30, American journalist and author, Jim Acosta, will take to the New Ross stage at St. Michael's Theatre, to feature as an esteemed guest speaker at this year's Kennedy Summer School where the former CNN Chief White House Correspondent will take part in a conversation with Dr. Stacey Connaughton of Purdue University. Renowned for his distinguished career in journalism, Mr Acosta gained national recognition as CNN's Chief White House Correspondent, where his rigorous questioning and high-profile exchanges with former President Donald Trump made headlines worldwide. Mr Acosta joined CNN in 2007, after beginning his career in local radio and television and with CBS News, where he covered issues including the 2004 presidential election, the Iraq War and Hurricane Katrina. He covered Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton's campaigns for the 2008 presidential election at the beginning of his time at CNN, and went on to become a national political correspondent and covering Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign. He was promoted to senior White House correspondent during Obama's second term as president, then became chief White House correspondent in 2018, during Donald Trump's first term as president. Mr Acosta now hosts The Jim Acosta Show on Substack and YouTube, bringing his trademark insight and analysis to audiences across the globe. His participation in the Kennedy Summer School will present a unique opportunity to hear his reflections on journalism, American politics, and the challenges facing democracy today. The 2025 Kennedy Summer School opens on Thursday, August 28, with a Schools STEM Event at the JFK Arboretum featuring Veronica Campbell, and Ciarán Seoighe, and Dr. Charles Larkin moderated by Prof Patrick Prendergast. That afternoon, Seán O'Rourke will host the popular Tea Party event with music by Sharon Clancy, compered by Seán Connick. The official opening later that evening at St Michael's Theatre, will be led by the school's co-Director and former RTÉ journalist, Eileen Dunne, followed by a screening and discussion of From That Small Island with Prof Bríona Nic Dhiarmada, Prof Jane Ohlmeyer, Dr. Brian Murphy, and composer and musician, Colm Mac Con Iomaire. Friday includes a centenary session on The Great Gatsby with Prof Kirk Curnutt. A senior government figure will speak at the Speakers' Lunch. Panels follow on various topics including local journalism with journalists Alan Corcoran, Brenda Power, Jessica O'Connor, Dave O'Connell and Bill Forry, and the Noel Whelan Interview will take place with Colm Tóibín and Sinéad McSweeney. The day ends with President Trump & Us moderated by Tony Connelly. Saturday features a Gatsby panel of Kirk Curnutt, Philip McGowan, Sarah Churchwell, Martina Mastandrea, a trade and business session with Stephen Kinsella, Brad McKinney, Gilberto Ocanas, Vasileios Madouros, Liam Byrne MP, and a panel on the Irish-American relationship including Senator Mark Daly, Larry Donnelly, Ruairi Barnwell, Linda Dorcena-Forry, moderated by Jackie Fox. The Marion and Cal Roadshow returns with Marion McKeone, Cal Thomas, and Larry Donnelly. The festival closes with a forum on the Irish Presidential election and a live performance from the New Ross District Pipe Band. For further information and for tickets, visit
New York Post
02-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
James Carville tells ex-CNN host he's worried Trump will tamper with 2026 midterm elections
Democratic strategist James Carville said in an interview this week that he's 'very' worried that President Donald Trump and his administration will cheat in the 2026 midterm elections. During an appearance on 'The Jim Acosta Show' on Tuesday, Carville told the former CNN anchor he thinks there's a major risk of Trump tampering with votes in the 2026 midterm elections to make sure the Democratic Party doesn't gain any ground to oppose his second-term agenda. Advertisement 'In the short word, yes,' Carville said in response to Acosta repeating a viewer asking whether they believe Trump will end up 'tampering' with the midterm votes. 'In the longer words, very.' Carville predicted that Trump is going to get worried about congressional Republicans' hold on power once he starts seeing the results of major elections over the next year or so. 'And I think what may happen, he's going to see the writing on the wall in Virginia,' Carville said, mentioning the upcoming 2025 governor's election between Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, and former Democratic congresswoman Abigail Spanberger. 3 Carville predicted that Trump is going to get worried about congressional Republicans' hold on power. The Jim Acosta Show Advertisement 'This is what I think is going to happen,' he continued. 'And [Trump's] going to see retirements and people are going to start coming in.' Carville also predicted Trump would see these races and say, ''We're getting ready to lose. I gotta change and I gotta get some distance,' and he's going to see all that coming.' 'I don't put anything past him — nothing — to try to call the election off, to do anything he can. He can think of things like that, that – that, you know, we can't because we're not accustomed to thinking like that. We always assume there's going to be an election. In your case, 'How do I cover the election?' In my case, 'How do I affect the election?'' he said. 3 President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable at 'Alligator Alcatraz,' a new migrant detention facility at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Ochopee, Fla. AP Advertisement Carville mentioned that people often share these kinds of concerns, saying they're scared of what Trump might do. 'I say, you should be,' Carville said. 'You have every reason to be scared. Don't kid yourself.' 'This is scary s—,' Acosta, a Trump critic, responded. 'And he's already tried to steal one election before, so, I mean, what's to say he's not going to try to steal more?' The White House fired back in a comment to Fox News Digital. Advertisement 3 U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, after touring a temporary migrant detention center informally known as 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Ochopee, Florida, U.S., July 1, 2025. REUTERS 'President Trump has taken more action to restore the integrity of our elections on behalf of the American people than any president in modern history. 'According to the Democrats, voter fraud doesn't exist – but clearly they are already searching for copouts preparing to lose big again in the midterms,' spokesperson Taylor Rogers said. Several of Carville's prior predictions about Trump didn't come to pass. Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the former Bill Clinton advisor declared in a New York Times column that former Vice President Kamala Harris would win the presidency. In March, Carville said that Trump's presidency had already collapsed just months into the second term.
