Imagine being able to sit down decades from now and hear your grandfather tell you how he met your grandmother—or have your great-aunt explain her favorite recipe in her own voice.
Thanks to a breakthrough in AI technology, that future is already here.
A company called StoryFile is redefining how we preserve our life stories, memories, and even personalities—using AI-powered avatars that let people continue “conversations” with loved ones long after they’ve passed.
Talking Avatars That Live On After You
StoryFile’s technology is built to feel as lifelike as possible.
Think of it like a digital version of yourself, captured on video and powered by generative AI that mimics how you speak, respond, and think.
It’s not just a recording—it’s interactive. Ask a question, and the avatar answers, just like you would.
This innovation has already been embraced by well-known figures like William Shatner, 94, and philanthropist Michael Staenberg, 71, who’ve both created StoryFile avatars to preserve their legacies.
“I Want My Stories to Live On”
Michael Staenberg, who’s donated more than $850 million over his lifetime, says his motivation is simple: he wants the impact he’s made—and the lessons he’s learned—to carry forward.
“I hope to pass my knowledge on and the good I’ve created,” he shared, adding that he has “quite a crazy life” filled with stories he doesn’t want forgotten.
From Museums to Families Facing Loss
Originally, StoryFile was used in museums to capture and preserve the voices of historical figures—especially Holocaust survivors and WWII veterans.
But it has become a powerful tool for people facing terminal illnesses who want to leave something lasting behind for their loved ones.
StoryFile CEO Alex Quinn says they receive heartbreaking emails every day: “My son was just diagnosed with terminal cancer,” or “My parents are getting older, and I don’t want their memories to disappear.”
A Pricier Past Meets an Accessible Future
Previously, this kind of digital legacy came at a steep price—tens of thousands of dollars.
But now, StoryFile is about to change that.
A new, more affordable app is launching this summer that lets anyone record their own avatar from home, for less than the cost of a monthly phone bill.
That means you can now “interview” yourself using your phone or computer, recording stories about your childhood, your career, your values—even your favorite foods—and your avatar will learn and grow with each response.
Not Just Pre-Recorded Replies—It Learns You
Earlier versions of the tech were more limited.
The avatar could only answer using pre-recorded responses.
But now, thanks to generative AI (similar to ChatGPT), your digital self can reply in a natural, dynamic way, based on your personality and life history.
Yes, the avatars might say a few “off” things at first—Quinn openly admits that—but the more you interact and feed the system, the more accurate and personal it becomes.
Your Memories, Stored for Generations
Every StoryFile account includes what they call “permanent cold storage,” which means your avatar is safe and protected for future generations.
You can keep adding new videos and stories as your life unfolds, and the app updates your avatar with every new memory.
“It’s kind of like an AI FaceTime,” Quinn explained. “You’re interviewed by an AI that digs deeper over time.
The more you share, the more detailed and human your avatar becomes.”
Real People Are Already Using It to Talk to the Past
One of the pioneers of this concept was futurist Ray Kurzweil, who built a “dad bot” back in 2016 based on his late father, Fred.
Using decades of documents, letters, and audio, he created an avatar that could talk about gardening, share beliefs about life, and even reflect on love—the way his father did.
“It felt a lot like talking to him,” Kurzweil told Rolling Stone in 2023.
A World Where No One’s Story Is Lost
Kurzweil believes that in the near future, anyone will be able to create a digital version of a loved one using tools like StoryFile—capturing personalities with enough detail to feel truly real.
With this kind of technology in our hands, we’re entering a world where stories don’t have to fade, and voices don’t have to fall silent.
It’s not about replacing people—it’s about keeping them close, even when they’re no longer here.