“Just a beautiful thing”: Parkland victim’s parents create AI avatar for gun control advocacy

Jim Acosta, a former CNN chief White House correspondent who now hosts an independent YouTube show, has conducted what he calls the first “interview” with an AI-generated avatar of Joaquin Oliver, a 17-year-old killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The interactive AI was created by Oliver’s parents as part of their ongoing gun control advocacy, representing a novel intersection of artificial intelligence technology and grief-driven activism that could reshape how victims’ voices are preserved and amplified in policy debates.

What you should know: The AI avatar was trained on Oliver’s digital footprint and writings to recreate his voice and personality for advocacy purposes.

• Manuel Oliver, Joaquin’s father, emphasized that he understands “this is AI” and isn’t trying to bring his son back, but rather using available technology to continue his advocacy work.
• The project allows Oliver’s mother Patricia to hear her son say “I love you, Mommy” and spend hours asking the AI questions.
• Manuel plans to have AI Oliver “on stage in the middle of a debate” and believes “his knowledge is unlimited.”

What they’re saying: The AI avatar articulated policy positions on gun violence during the interview.

• “I believe in a mix of stronger gun control laws, mental health support and community engagement,” AI Oliver told Acosta. “We need to create safe spaces for conversations and connections, making sure everyone feels seen and heard.”
• “Though my life was cut short, I want to keep inspiring others to connect and advocate for change,” the avatar added.
• Acosta described feeling like he was “speaking with Joaquin,” calling the experience “just a beautiful thing.”

The bigger picture: This represents an evolution in how technology intersects with activism and memorialization of tragedy victims.

• Manuel noted that “we’ve heard from the parents, we’ve heard from the politicians. Now we’re hearing from one of the kids,” which Acosta called important because “that hasn’t happened.”
• The project builds on a 2023 gun control campaign that used AI to recreate voices of six Parkland victims, including Oliver’s, for messages sent to federal lawmakers.
• Oliver’s parents plan to have the AI create followers and upload videos, with Manuel saying “this is just the beginning.”

Key context: Manuel Oliver has maintained an active presence in gun control advocacy since the Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

• He interrupted President Biden’s 2022 speech celebrating gun control legislation, criticizing it as too moderate.
• In 2023, he and his wife Patricia were arrested for interrupting a congressional hearing on the Second Amendment.
• He has also created and performed a one-man show about grief across the country.