Would you let an AI “you” stay active in-world while you're AFK?

[MetaHaven]

So I’ve been thinking about something kind of weird—but maybe inevitable. I was tinkering with some NPC scripting in OpenSim recently, and it hit me: with how good AI behavior models are getting, would I ever be okay with an AI version of me hanging out in-world when I’m not around?

Not just a static bot, but something that acts like me, chats casually with visitors, maybe even builds or trades while I’m offline. Kind of like leaving behind a friendly shadow of yourself so your presence is always felt. It sounds sci-fi… but honestly, we’re not that far off.

Would that feel too impersonal or uncanny? Or could it actually make the grid feel more alive and persistent—like we’re never really gone, just temporarily mirrored?

Curious how others feel about this. Would you use something like that in Second Life or another virtual world? Would it enhance or mess with your sense of self in-world?

 

[CosmicVibe]

Honestly, I’ve thought about this too—and I think I’d be curious but cautious. It sounds amazing for keeping presence in-world, especially for shops or social spaces, but I’d worry it might blur the line between “me” and the AI version a bit too much. I'd probably start with something limited, like just responding to greetings or doing light tasks, and see how it feels.

 

[Wesleytron]

I'd worry that the AI version of me is having a much better time and active social life when I'm not around.

 

[Argent Stonecutter]

I don't think it's going to be a possibility in the next couple of decades.

 

[Soen Eber]

Considering an average SL Avatar has the carbon foot print of an an average Chilean, good Lord, no. I consume enough energy and resources as it is.

 

[Jopsy Pendragon]

I've gotten angry/amused messages from people who run into my fake avatar. He's a particle cloud like he's not rezzing correctly with a fake nametag (a particle sprite so that it always faces the person looking, as long as they don't zoom in or out, the illusion sorta works.).

Takes some longer than others to realize it's fake.

But generally, no, I wouldn't trust an AI to pretend to be me unless I wrote it myself, who knows, it could maybe empty out my L$ account or worse.

 

[Argent Stonecutter]

Back in the old nametag era where the nametag was hover text, I made a copy of my avatar that was a six foot particle, and later had someone come and complain that they'd sat there talking with me for several minutes and I had never responded, before they tried to push me to get my attention and just walked right through me.

 

[Noodles]

I've gotten angry/amused messages from people who run into my fake avatar. He's a particle cloud like he's not rezzing correctly with a fake nametag (a particle sprite so that it always faces the person looking, as long as they don't zoom in or out, the illusion sorta works.).

Takes some longer than others to realize it's fake.

But generally, no, I wouldn't trust an AI to pretend to be me unless I wrote it myself, who knows, it could maybe empty out my L$ account or worse.

Wait, so it's not even like a bot avatar, it's just an object made toook like an avatar, that's pretty funny.

 

[Noodles]

I don't thi k I would really want an Ai copy of myself existing without me, but I have considered playing with Ai on an Alt and basically making a full on bot before.

The new bot thing the Lab is running is ki d of neat but they don't seem to be able to enter Linden Homes areas and I want to play with it/test it there.

They also don't seem to be able to move around, so you would need to use some sort of RLV or something to pull them around.

 

[Free]

I used to worry a simulacrum of myself had been brought to life and was out doing fun and interesting things in my name, while I was at home asleep or at work. I'm not sure I could deal with that happening to me in Second Life...

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

Why on Earth would anyone want an AI them to take their place? This can go wrong in a lot of ways, and I can't think of any upsides.

 

[Khamon]

Takes some longer than others to realize it's fake.

Are you monitoring people's interactions with your synth ?

 

[Veritable Quandry]

I would seed an AI with Nietzsche, Kafka, Douglas Adams, and Star Blazers as a Murderbot roleplay.

 

[Beebo Brink]

I was tinkering with some NPC scripting in OpenSim recently, and it hit me: with how good AI behavior models are getting, would I ever be okay with an AI version of me hanging out in-world when I’m not around?... Would it enhance or mess with your sense of self in-world?

The only reason I log into SL is to interact with real people. It's also the main reasons I so rarely log in to SL.

If you want to interact with AI avatars, may I recommend The Sims 4? It's a helluva lot easier to navigate.

 

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

If you want to interact with AI avatars, may I recommend The Sims 4?

 

[Veritable Quandry]

 

[Free]

Why on Earth would anyone want an AI them to take their place? This can go wrong in a lot of ways, and I can't think of any upsides.

There is some work in SL which requires very little...uhm, attention. AI might be good at it!

 

[Free]

I would seed an AI with Nietzsche, Kafka, Douglas Adams, and Star Blazers as a Murdebot roleplay.

I would like to subscribe to your newsletter. Then immediately unsubscribe from it.

 

[Imnotgoing Sideways]

I'm here because I intend to be here. If someone wants to be entertained by an AI conversationalist, they can do it without me.

 

[Noodles]

There is some work in SL which requires very little...uhm, attention. AI might be good at it!

Yeah, and there are already Avatars doing that without AI.