My guest on today’s episode is Miles Spencer who’s done so much in his life it is hard to summarise! He has founded, financed, built and exited three digital media companies and his new startup, Reflekta, is the subject for this podcast. Reflekta is an ai-driven platform for interactions with one’s deceased loved-ones.
The big picture is that Reflekta moves beyond existing digital tools in assisting those in grief or helping to counter memory loss, to more celebratory interactions such intergenerational storytelling and legacy building. Behind this is a philosophy of ‘Soul Tech’ or human centred AI. Topics discussed included: The benefits for storytellers in creating their own legacy reflections (including for those who may have dementia or are near end of life); The benefits for family and loved ones in terms of comfort, resilience and having a growing resource throughout life; Growing one’s relationship with a deceased loved-one; The distinction between grief therapy and legacy-based interactions; The distinction between reflections and attempted simulations; Promoting tradition and legacy for subsequent generations; The broader social benefits of the passing down of wisdom at scale; Discussion of the thorny ethical questions involved - including the guardrails established by Reflekta to try to deal with these.
All in all, probably a conversation to follow up when there is more water under the bridge for this very new Reflekta!