Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta is facing backlash after participating in a virtual interview with an artificial intelligence chatbot designed to mimic Joaquin Oliver, one of the 17 victims killed during the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

The interview, which featured Acosta asking questions and receiving AI-generated responses as though from the deceased 17-year-old, was released in connection with a campaign focused on gun control advocacy.

The segment has prompted widespread criticism across social media and from commentators who called the effort “unseemly,” “insensitive,” and “exploitative.”

Joaquin Oliver was one of the students murdered on February 14, 2018, when a gunman opened fire at the high school, killing 17 and injuring another 17.

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More than six years later, Oliver’s likeness and digital voice were recreated using artificial intelligence to participate in an interview-style segment.

In the exchange, Acosta asked the AI recreation of Oliver, “I would like to know what your solution would be for gun violence.”

The AI version of Oliver responded: “Great question. I believe in a mix of stronger gun control laws, mental health support, and community engagement.”

The chatbot continued: “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?”

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Acosta responded, “I think that’s a great idea, Joaquin.”

Critics accused those behind the project of exploiting a child’s tragic death to promote a political agenda.

The segment has also reignited ongoing debates surrounding the ethical use of artificial intelligence, especially in cases involving deceased individuals.

While the developers of the AI program have not been fully identified, the use of AI to generate posthumous political messaging has sparked concern from across the political spectrum.

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Multiple commentators questioned whether consent had been granted for the AI likeness of Oliver to be used in this manner and whether surviving family members had been involved in the project.

The full scope of who produced the segment and who authorized its creation has not yet been disclosed.

The Parkland shooting remains one of the deadliest school shootings in American history.

In its aftermath, survivors and families of the victims became prominent voices in the national conversation on school safety and firearm laws.

However, the use of artificial intelligence to simulate responses from one of the victims has introduced a new and controversial dimension to that advocacy.

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