Deepfake of deceased man gives his own impact statement in court

The AI-generated deepfake of Christopher Pelkey, killed by Gabriel Horcasitas in 2021 during a road rage incident, was used in court during his sentencing hearing as part of an innovative way to honor him. Pelkey's family created the avatar after finding their impact statement insufficient, and the judge approved its use, though the AI's poignant message resonated deeply with both parties. However, the defendant received harsher penalties, prompting legal challenges over the AI's role in the case. Experts worry that this may set a dangerous precedent for using AI in similar scenarios.