As a counsellor or therapist, how prepared do you feel to support clients who engage with grief-related AI technologies?

The death, dying and breavement (DDB) research team in the School of Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University are inviting counsellors/therapists that work with bereaved individuals to take part in a research study exploring professional perspectives on 'deathbots'. 'Deathbots' are AI-generated representations of deceased individuals, created using digital traces such as emails, messages, photographs, social media content, audio recordings, or videos to simulate interaction after death.

You may also be familiar with terms such as griefbots, thanabots, digital replicas, digital humans, or AI memorials. As these technologies become increasingly accessible, bereaved individuals may begin bringing experiences of grief-related AI into therapeutic and support settings. Despite growing public interest and uptake of such technology, there is currently limited research exploring how professionals perceive them, the challenges and opportunities they may present, and how prepared professionals feel to respond when clients discuss or engage with them.

This pilot study aims to explore:

  • Awareness and understanding of grief-related AI technologies
  • Perceived opportunities and challenges associated with their use
  • Ethical and professional considerations for practice
  • Potential implications for counselling, psychotherapy, and bereavement support
  • Practitioner training and support needs

The findings will inform the development of future professional guidance, educational resources, and training opportunities designed to support those working with bereaved clients. The study forms part of a wider programme of research conducted by the Death, Dying and Bereavement Research Team in the School of Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University which explores these topics through a therapeutic lens.

What's involved?

Participation involves completing an anonymous online questionnaire hosted on Microsoft Forms (link below).

The questionnaire:

  • Takes approximately 20-25 minutes to complete
  • Includes a small number of questions about your professional background and experience
  • Contains open-ended questions about your views on grief-related AI technologies
  • Does not collect names, email addresses, or other direct identifiers

We are interested in your views in your professional capacity, rather than your personal experiences of bereavement. Even if you haven't yet encountered a client this uses this technology, we still are interested in hearing your perspectives on it.

Who can take part?

  • You can participate if you:
  • Are aged 18 years or over
  • Currently work or volunteer in a role supporting bereaved individuals
  • Have at least one year's relevant professional experience
  • Are able to complete the questionnaire in English

Participation is entirely voluntary, and ethical approval has been granted by Manchester Metropolitan University (EthOS ID: 93371).

Please see here for more information.
Please see here to view the participant information sheet.

Link to questionnaire: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=UPs_KAujjEiQ9M2uT3rm0cmIj2lky3JJk1zw-jG_9VBUQ1kzOFZWUUJUSU9EU0E1Ujg4RzlGTDROQy4u