Jim Acosta's AI Interview of Parkland Victim Sparks Debate

Former CNN journalist Jim Acosta, now working independently, interviewed an AI-generated avatar of Joaquin Oliver, a victim of the 2018 Parkland shooting, on what would have been Oliver’s 25th birthday. The AI, created and approved by Oliver's parents, was designed to advocate for gun control and preserve their son's memory, providing answers on both gun violence and Oliver's personal interests. The interview drew widespread criticism for being unsettling and exploitative, with many arguing that animating a deceased child for journalism crosses ethical boundaries. Supporters, including Oliver’s parents, defended the project as a meaningful way to keep Joaquin’s voice in the gun safety conversation and as a source of comfort in their grieving process. The event has intensified debate over the ethics of using AI to replicate the dead, especially in advocacy and media contexts. Acosta stated that his intent was to foster dialogue about gun violence while acknowledging the controversy surrounding the technology.