Preserving Memory: AI, Deepfakes, and Holocaust Remembrance

John Dobai, a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor born in Hungary in 1934, is actively involved in initiatives to digitally preserve his experiences. Having survived the war by hiding after narrowly escaping mass deportations, Dobai regularly speaks in schools for the Holocaust Memorial Trust.

He recently participated in Testimony 360, a pioneering project that utilizes AI and virtual-reality technology to create digital records of survivor experiences. This innovative approach aims to allow future students to interact with virtual representations of survivors, enabling them to ask questions and learn directly from their testimonies.

The Rising Controversy of AI in Remembrance

The use of AI in Holocaust remembrance is becoming controversial due to the circulation of fake images online.

However, the increasing application of AI in Holocaust remembrance has sparked controversy, primarily due to the proliferation of fake images online. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance has issued a strong warning to schools, expressing significant concern that such fabricated content, often in the form of memes, is being exploited for "political or ideological purposes, including denial and distortion."

Currently, individuals with historical knowledge can often distinguish between authentic and fabricated images. Yet, as AI technology continues its rapid advancement, it is widely expected to become increasingly difficult to differentiate real historical images from computer-generated fakes.

This development parallels existing debates around fictionalizations like The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which aims to introduce the Holocaust to younger audiences. While acknowledged for its outreach, such fictionalizations have also drawn concerns from survivors, including Imre Kertész, who argued that they can diminish the authenticity of genuine survivor experiences.

Deepfakes vs. Fictionalizations

Bot-promoted deepfakes are distinctly different from traditional fictionalizations. They blur the crucial line between fact and fiction, presenting a severe risk. As fabricated content proliferates on social media, deepfakes could potentially lead to increased Holocaust suspicion and even outright denial.

This technological impact on memory is further illustrated by concerns that recorded memories might supplant organic ones, raising fundamental questions about ceding control over historical narratives.

Memory, Identity, and Contemporary Challenges

Memory is considered central to Jewish identity, manifested in practices like remembering the deceased and liturgical commemorations such as Passover. Threats to this collective memory are regarded as existential.

Memory holds a foundational place in Jewish identity. This is profoundly manifested through practices such as remembering the deceased and in liturgical commemorations like Passover. Consequently, any threats to this collective memory are regarded as existential in nature.

In the contemporary context, against the backdrop of current events, some schools are reportedly hesitant to commemorate the Holocaust. The number of schools marking Holocaust Memorial Day has reportedly halved in recent years. A notable incident highlighted this trend: the cancellation of a Jewish MP's visit to a school in Bristol following protests.

The article concludes by emphasizing that memory is crucial for identity and shared conviction. It serves as both a vital reminder and a potent warning against the dangers of historical revisionism.