What's happening?

Imagine this. It is 2200 and many years have passed since you walked on the Earth. But online, you are still sharing your thoughts, ideas and opinions on the big topics of the day, from sport to celebrities to politics. 

It sounds like it should be impossible. But scientists at a university in the USA have started a project to make living forever online a reality. They are running a test on 25 people. The plan is to use Artificial Intelligence (AIA computer programme that has been designed to think. ) technology to mimicCopy. how they act online. 

There are many reasons why some people want to live forever online. Famous lawyers could share their ideas on big cases long after they have died, and company bosses could send messages to employees for eternityForever. . 

Others hope that after they die, their friends and family can be sent messages from a digital version of themselves.

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But others say this is a bad idea. The technology is still new. You might not want to receive messages from your old headteacher or your boss or even some of your relatives forever. And what if one day, an immortalLives forever. online version of Elon MuskA South African-born entrepreneur whose companies have included the online payment service PayPal. continued to control Twitter long after his death?

Is this a bad idea?

Yes! This is a terrible idea. An AI programme will never really know what a dead person might have thought - and anyway, we do not want some people to be able to share their opinions forever. 

No! Humans are always looking for ways to live longer. The best way to achieve it must be online.