Imagine holding a conversation with a loved one who’s passed away—not just hearing their voice in your memories, but seeing them smile, hearing their laughter, and even getting their advice. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi dream, right? But here’s where it gets controversial: a new AI-powered app co-founded by former Disney Channel star Calum Worthy is making this possible—and it’s sparking a firestorm of debate. The app, called 2wai, allows users to create interactive avatars of deceased relatives, and it’s dividing the internet like few tech innovations have before. And this is the part most people miss: while some see it as a revolutionary way to preserve memories, others are calling it a dystopian nightmare, comparing it to the chilling scenarios of Black Mirror.
Earlier this week, Worthy, best known for his role in Austin & Ally, posted a viral ad for 2wai on X (formerly Twitter). The ad features an expectant mother interacting with an AI-generated avatar of her deceased mother, showing heartwarming moments as the family grows—from the birth of a child to the arrival of grandchildren. The emotional punchline? The avatar was created using just three minutes of footage of the woman’s late mother speaking and moving. The company boldly claims, ‘With 2wai, three minutes can last forever,’ and Worthy himself describes it as ‘building a living archive of humanity.’
The ad has since racked up over 22 million views, but the response has been far from unanimous. While Worthy’s post garnered only 6,000 likes, the critical replies have stolen the show. One user declared the app ‘objectively one of the most evil ideas imaginable,’ earning a staggering 210,000 likes. Another quipped, ‘A former Disney Channel star creating the most evil thing I’ve ever seen wasn’t really what I was expecting,’ resonating with 139,000 others. The backlash doesn’t stop there—one user called the app ‘demonic, dishonest, and dehumanizing,’ adding, ‘My value dies with me. I’m not a f—ing avatar.’
Here’s the bigger question: Is this technology a compassionate tool for grieving families or a profit-driven exploitation of human emotion? Critics argue that 2wai—which is free to download but offers premium avatars and digital items—is capitalizing on grief. Others worry it could hinder healthy mourning processes, allowing users to avoid confronting loss.
But let’s pause for a moment. What if this app genuinely helps some people find closure? What if it bridges the gap between memory and reality in a way that brings comfort? This is where the debate gets messy. While some see it as a step too far into the uncanny valley, others might view it as a natural evolution of how we honor and remember those we’ve lost.
As the conversation rages on, one thing is clear: 2wai is forcing us to confront uncomfortable questions about technology, humanity, and the boundaries of grief. So, here’s the question for you: Is this app a groundbreaking innovation or a disturbing overreach? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—agree, disagree, or somewhere in between, this is one conversation that’s just getting started.
