Parents who have lost their children in shootings are utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technology to replicate their children’s voices with the aim of urging US lawmakers to bolster firearms regulations.
A platform called The Shotline, established by advocacy groups March For Our Lives and Change The Ref, enables the public to listen to recordings of six individuals, asserting that these victims now “have a chance to speak again” after their voices were silenced by violence that shattered their aspirations.
This initiative was unveiled on the sixth anniversary of the Parkland school shooting in Florida, where 17 lives were tragically taken, including Joaquin Oliver, whose voice is among those featured on the website. Joaquin’s parents founded Change The Ref in his honor.
In a poignant moment, 10-year-old Uziyah Garcia, a victim of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas in May 2022, is also represented on the site. His AI-generated voice reminisces about his fondness for video games, bringing laughter to his friends, and enjoying time on the trampoline with his family.
Uziyah’s father, Brett Cross, expressed his satisfaction with the project, emphasizing the importance of amplifying the voices of lost children to advocate for change. He underscored the urgent need for stricter gun laws to prevent further tragedies, lamenting the continued inaction of politicians despite relentless efforts to raise awareness.
The campaign’s objective is to inundate lawmakers with these poignant messages, urging them to heed the voices of innocent children whose lives were cut short due to gun violence. The website, The Shotline, has already facilitated over 34,000 calls to members of Congress, signaling a growing demand for legislative action in response to the ongoing crisis of gun violence in the United States.
