TNW Answers with James Vlahos

TNW Answers provides live AMAs with the world’s most influential thought leaders in business, design, and technology.

Speaker

What if death wasn't so final? What if tech could help you have conversations with the people you love even after they pass away? These are the questions that inspired James Vlahos to record his dying father's life story and create an interactive, text-based ‘Dadbot.’ Vlahos expanded his ambition beyond just his father. In 2019, he co-founded HereAfter, a startup that uses conversational AI to create interactive, life-story sharing chatbots, accessible through Amazon Alexa with the actual recorded voice of a loved one.

Vlahos is a veteran tech journalist for The New York Times and author of ‘Talk to Me: How Voice Computing Will Transform the Way We Live, Work, and Think.’ His book addresses the economic, cultural, and psychological impact of conversational AI and how it’s altering our traditional perception of human consciousness. In his book, Vlahos tries to find an answer to one fundamental question: What happens when computers become as compassionate and creative as we are?

About

TNW is a global brand that informs, inspires, and connects people who love tech through media, events, and services. We are passionate about providing a platform for disruptive ideas and having a positive impact on the world through tech. Since 2019, TNW has been part of the Financial Times group.