Artificial Continuing Bonds: A Proposed Framework for Responsible Integration of Generative AI in Clinical Thanatology.

Abstract

This article explores the integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into the field of thanatology, with particular attention to its ethical, societal, and clinical implications. In recent years, GenAI technologies have increasingly been applied in mental-health settings, including the use of chatbots and so-called "deathbots" - digital simulations of deceased individuals that some mourners engage with to sustain a sense of connection and emotional comfort. While such technologies may offer therapeutic potential, they also raise significant ethical and practical challenges. Despite rising academic interest, empirical research in this domain remains scarce, and the field still lacks a cohesive body of knowledge. This article reviews current developments and key debates in the field and proposes a preliminary framework for the responsible integration of GenAI in grief-related practices. The framework outlines four critical pillars: ethical and regulatory oversight, development of theoretical foundations, promotion of empirical inquiry, and implementation of clinically informed practices.