According to the New Scientist, artificially intelligent apps and bots that act as dead loved ones could do more harm than good.

The outlet highlighted research by psychologists Mary-Frances O’Connor and Saren Seeley.

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They argue grief is a learning concept and we must adapt to loss.

It’s feared that new AI apps that let you speak to a chatbot as if it’s someone who is deceased could interfere with this process.

O’Connor is quoted as explaining how digital avatars can affect the brain.

She says: “This brain activity [in the reward and rumination areas] is really strong in people who are experiencing yearning.”

Adding: “You feel like you’re trying to get closer to that relationship, but [the bot] is not the thing that you want.”

This could potentially lead to someone who is grieving avoiding the reality that their loved one is dead.

The grief tech apps aren’t necessarily all bad though.

App creator James Vlahos came up with the idea for his chatbot when his dad was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

He spent a year programming a persona-sharing AI that he called the Dadbot.

This led him to create HereAfter AI, an app that lets users create a profile for their lost loved one.

The app can even use old voice recordings to speak back to you in their voice, create small talk, make jokes, and even sing.

This is based on recordings the deceased person made before they died.

Another app called Seance AI aims to give users a sense of closure.

The creator behind the app, Jarren Rocks, previously said it’s not supposed to be a long-term solution but is supposed to aid the grieving process.