Jim Acosta Interviews AI Version of Teenager Killed in Parkland Shooting: ‘It’s Just a Beautiful Thing’

Jim Acosta, the former CNN chief White House correspondent who now hosts an independent show on YouTube, has published an interview with an AI-generated avatar of Joaquin Oliver, who died at age 17 in the Parkland school shooting in 2018.

The interactive AI was created by Oliver’s parents, who granted Acosta the first “interview” with the recreated version of their son on what would have been his 25th birthday. Oliver was one of 17 people killed in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

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Acosta asked AI Oliver about his solution for gun violence, to which the avatar responded: “I believe in a mix of stronger gun control laws, mental health support and community engagement. We need to create safe spaces for conversations and connections, making sure everyone feels seen and heard. It’s about building a culture of kindness and understanding.”

The avatar added, “Though my life was cut short, I want to keep inspiring others to connect and advocate for change.”

Acosta then asked AI Oliver about his personal life, such as his favorite sport and favorite basketball team. The two discussed the movie “Remember the Titans” and their favorite “Star Wars” moments.

After a five-minute chat with the AI, Acosta then connected with Oliver’s father, Manuel Oliver. “I’m kind of speechless as to the technology there,” Acosta said. “It was so insightful. I really felt like I was speaking with Joaquin. It’s just a beautiful thing.”

Manuel, who has been an outspoken voice in the push for gun control, said he believed bringing “AI Joaquin to life” would “create more impact.” According to Manuel, the avatar is trained on information on the internet as well as things Oliver wrote, said and posted online. He said he wanted to make it clear to viewers that he is under no illusions about reviving his son.

“I understand that this is AI. I don’t want anyone to think that I am, in some way, trying to bring my son back,” he said. “Sadly, I can’t, right? I wish I could. However, the technology is out there.”

Manuel said they created the AI, in part, so that he and his wife Patricia could hear their son’s voice again. “Patricia will spend hours asking questions,” he said. “Like any other mother, she loves to hear Joaquin saying, ‘I love you, Mommy.’” They also launched this project so that Oliver could have a voice in conversations around gun safety. “Now, Joaquin is going to start having followers… He’s going to start uploading videos. This is just the beginning.”

Manuel said he is excited about the future of the project and what it means for his son’s legacy.

“What’s amazing about this is that we’ve heard from the parents, we’ve heard from the politicians. Now we’re hearing from one of the kids,” Acosta said. “That’s important. That hasn’t happened.”

Manuel said he plans to have AI Oliver “on stage in the middle of a debate,” and that “his knowledge is unlimited.”

Acosta’s interview comes one year after a gun control campaign recreated the voices of six Parkland victims, including Oliver’s, using AI. The messages were circulated online and sent as direct calls to federal lawmakers. In the years following the Parkland shooting, Manuel has been on the front line of gun control advocacy. In 2022, he interrupted a televised speech by Joe Biden celebrating the passage of gun control legislation, which Manuel criticized as too moderate. And in 2023, Manuel was arrested after interrupting a congressional hearing on the Second Amendment with his wife, Patricia. Manuel also created a one-man show about grief that he performed across the country.

Watch Acosta’s interview below.

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