Kanye West, Kim Kardashian and her dad: Should we make holograms of the dead? - BBC News

Getting a hologram of a lost loved one might not be on your birthday wish list.

Nor was it on reality star Kim Kardashian West's before she was surprised by husband Kanye West with a hologram of her late father Robert for her 40th celebrations.

A lawyer and businessman, Robert Kardashian was best known for defending OJ Simpson at his high-profile murder trial in the 1990s.

At one point, the hologram says: "You married the most, most, most, most, most genius man in the whole world, Kanye West.".

"Even if a person gives their consent to being used as a hologram, is it even possible for this to be an informed consent?" he asks.

"If yes, that would mean that they also give their consent to that same hologram expressing phrases or sentiments that are not part of their belief or value system.

Kardashian West's reaction to the hologram seemed to be positive - but the same technology that can restore a loved one to digital life can also be used to manipulate footage of those still living, such as politicians, which can lead to powerful disinformation.

Deepfake technology like that used here on Robert Kardashian's face has also been used to manipulate footage of world leaders ahead of the US election, as well as to fake nude images of more than 100,000 women.

"You can 3D render from a photograph, but it's not as realistic," he says.

Dines, chief creative officer of Studio BLUP, says the technology is still in its early stages and there are lots of giveaways that this is altered footage of Robert Kardashian - mainly the movements and the proportion of his head to his hands.

Just days after Kardashian West was criticised for sharing the fact she had flown all of her friends to a private island for her birthday, people have also questioned how sensitive publicising this expensive present might be in the middle of a pandemic.

Kim Kardashian getting a hologram of her dead dad while millions of Americans didn’t even get to tell their parents goodbye or go to their funerals thanks to COVID is too on the nose.

"This has served a massive purpose," says Dines.

Kanye West gives Kim Kardashian birthday hologram of dead father.

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