In a movie, Héctor Daniel Flores Fernández recounts the story of his abduction from his residence in Guadalajara, Mexico, on the evening of May 18, 2021. Since that fateful day, his family has had no communication with him. He appeals to the authorities to investigate his disappearance and bring him back safe and sound. The video emphasizes, “Do not allow this incident to go unpunished,” urging assistance in upholding his rights.
In actuality, the voice in the video does not belong to Héctor; rather, his words and image are generated using artificial intelligence. This initiative is part of a campaign by Luz de Esperanza and Alas de Libertad, aiming to raise awareness about the issue of disappearances in Mexico. By utilizing AI models and a photo of the missing individual, these organizations aim to humanize the data and highlight the prevalence of missing persons.
In Mexico, over 100,000 individuals have gone missing as a result of various factors such as state and gang violence, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and forced labor. Due to limited resources and high levels of corruption, many families have taken on the burden of searching for their missing loved ones. By leveraging AI technology to give life to images of the disappeared, families hope to challenge the government’s inadequate response to this crisis.
Héctor Flores, a co-founder of Luz de Esperanza and the father of Héctor Daniel Flores Fernández, views these efforts as a means to shed light on the denial and lack of empathy exhibited by the authorities towards the issue of disappearances in Mexico. The use of AI-generated videos aims to evoke compassion and understanding, countering the stigmatization and neglect faced by the disappeared and their families.
The emotional impact of seeing their missing relatives speak in these videos has deeply affected the families involved. For instance, Miguel Ángel Gómez Aguilar, whose daughter disappeared two years ago, expressed the profound emotional turmoil of hearing her voice again through the AI-generated video. The videos serve as a poignant reminder of the pain and trauma experienced by the families of the missing individuals.
Alas de Libertad has produced over 100 AI-generated videos for families across Mexico, despite challenges such as poor image quality and limited verified information. The collective continues its efforts, facing threats and obstacles, to raise awareness and seek support in their quest to locate missing persons.
While AI technology plays a crucial role in these endeavors, grassroots efforts by families and organizations remain essential in the absence of adequate resources and government support. The use of AI to create missing person posters and aid in search efforts represents a powerful tool in the ongoing battle for justice and accountability.
As the families of the missing persist in their search, the AI videos serve as a means to amplify their voices and demand answers from those in power. While the road ahead may be fraught with challenges, the hope remains that these efforts will bring about the truth and justice that these families seek for their missing loved ones.
