The interactive AI of Joaquin Oliver was created by his parents, Manuel and Patricia. Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta interviews AI version of teenager killed in P

The interactive AI of Joaquin Oliver was created by his parents, Manuel and Patricia.

Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta interviews AI version of teenager killed in Parkland shooting

The interactive AI of Joaquin Oliver was created by his parents, Manuel and Patricia.

By Jessica Wang

Jessica is a staff writer at , where she covers TV, movies, and pop culture. Her work has appeared in Bustle, NYLON, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, and more. She lives in California with her dog.

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Published on August 5, 2025 03:58PM EDT

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Jim Acosta. Credit:

John Nacion/Variety via Getty

No, this is not from an episode of *Black Mirror*: Jim Acosta interviewed an AI-generated avatar of the late Joaquin Oliver, a teenager who died in the Parkland school shooting in 2018.

The former chief White House correspondent for CNN welcomed the AI avatar, created by Oliver's parents Manuel and Patricia, on Monday's segment of his independent YouTube series to discuss gun control and other miscellaneous topics on what would have been his 25th birthday.

Oliver was among the 17 people killed at the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. on Feb. 14, 2018.

"I was taken from this world too soon due to gun violence while at school," the AI model of Joaquin said in the segment. "It's important to talk about these issues so we can create a safer future for everyone."**

When asked by Acosta about his solution for gun violence, the AI avatar said, "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."

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

Acosta also asked the AI avatar about his personal life, including his love for basketball and the Miami Heat, as well the movies* Remember the Titans* and* Star Wars. *

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The journalist later welcomed the late teenager's father Manuel, whom he called a "good friend," for a brief conversation. "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 and Patricia Oliver, parents of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver, at a 2022 March for Our Lives rally.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty

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The patriarch said he and his wife believed generating the AI would "create more impact," noting that the avatar was trained on general information and knowledge "based on things that [Joaquin] wrote, he said, he posted," Manuel said. "This is a very legit Joaquin."

"I understand that this is AI," he added. "I don't want anyone to think that I am, in some way, trying to bring my son back. Sadly, I can't, right? I wish I could. However, the technology is out there." Manuel also detailed plans for the avatar to share more videos surrounding gun safety. "Joaquin is going to start having followers. He's going to start uploading videos," he said. "This is just the beginning."

The interview comes a year after a gun control campaign launched an initiative called The Shotline, which employs AI to re-create voices of victims of gun violence. The AI-generated messages are sent to lawmakers as phone calls to advocate for gun safety.

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