Overview
- Chris Pelkey, who was killed in a 2021 road-rage shooting, was digitally resurrected through AI to deliver a four-minute victim impact statement at his killer's sentencing in Arizona.
- The AI-generated video, created by Pelkey’s sister using his voice recordings, videos, and photos, expressed a message of forgiveness and faith in God.
- Judge Todd Lang praised the sincerity of the AI testimony, stating it conveyed authentic forgiveness, and sentenced Gabriel Horcasitas to 10½ years for involuntary manslaughter.
- This marks a likely first use of AI to recreate a victim for a judicial proceeding in the U.S., prompting discussions about its ethical implications and authenticity.
- Arizona courts have previously integrated AI for accessibility purposes, reflecting a broader trend of adopting AI in judicial processes.