Jim Acosta faces backlash over AI interview with Parkland victim Joaquin Oliver: ‘This is so evil’

WASHINGTON, DC: Former CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta sparked outrage online after publishing a controversial interview featuring an AI-generated version of a school shooting victim.

On Monday, August 4, Acosta released a segment on his independent Substack show in which he “interviewed” a digital replica of Joaquin Oliver, a 17-year-old student who was killed in the 2018 Parkland high school shooting.

Jim Acosta talks to AI Joaquin Oliver about gun control

Jim Acosta sat down for a conversation with an AI-generated version of Joaquin Oliver, which has been created by his father, Manuel Oliver, to mark what would have been his son’s 25th birthday. The former CNN host was invited by Manuel to speak with the digital version of Joaquin not only to reflect on the tragedy that took his life, but also to give a voice to who he was as a person and what he might have stood for.

In the interview, Acosta asked, “Joaquin, I would like to know what your solution would be for gun violence.”

The AI replica responded, “Great question. 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. What do you think about that?” Acosta replied, “I think that’s a great idea, Joaquin.”

Promoting the segment on X (formerly Twitter), Acosta wrote, "A show you don't want to miss at 4p ET / 1p PT. I'll be having a one of a kind interview with Joaquin Oliver. He died in the Parkland school shooting in 2018. But his parents have created an AI version of their son to deliver a powerful message on gun violence."

Jim Acosta sparks outrage over 'grim' AI interview with Joaquin Oliver

The use of artificial intelligence to simulate an interview with a deceased individual drew widespread concern and criticism on social media. 

An Economist Greg Price wrote, "Jim Acosta is now conducting fake interviews with AI recreations of dead children programmed to agree with him on gun control. Believe it or not, CNN may have kept him from being an even bigger psychotic freak." 

Journalist Stephen L Miller said, "Jim Acosta who took great offense to being labeled fake news is now conducting fake interviews with dead people for content and clicks."

"Jim Acosta hitting rock bottom. Conducting a 'news' interview with an AI chat bot of a child who was killed in a school shooting so he can push partisan politics," added Ryan Saavedra.

CEO and co-founder of The Federalist Sean Davis slammed Acosta, writing, "What on earth is this demonic madness? Acosta got fired from CNN, so now he’s 'interviewing' scripted AI chatbot holograms of dead people which are pre-programmed to agree with him. Absolute insanity."

The Dispatch editor-in-chief Jonah Goldberg remarked, "Profoundly gross. I can't really blame the parents, but this kind of thing will go nowhere good and @Acosta will (hopefully) regret this one day."

The Hill’s 'Rising' co-host Robby Soave commented, “This is so insane and evil. It should never be done. I’m speechless,”

“Joaquin Oliver’s death was a tragedy. But animating a dead child to speak words he never said serves no journalistic purpose. All it does is chase clicks by exploiting a kid who can no longer express himself. Grim,” wrote Reason reporter Billy Binion. 

Joaquin Oliver's family clarifies AI interview was their idea

In response to backlash over the interview, Jim Acosta shared a video message from Joaquin Oliver’s father, Manuel Oliver, offering his full support for the project.

“I am Oliver's father. Today, he should be turning 25 years old,” Manuel said. “My wife and I asked our friend Jim Acosta to make an interview with our son because now, thanks to AI, we can bring him back. It was our idea, it was our plan and its still our plan.”

He continued, “We feel Joaquin has a lot of things to say and as long as we have the option, we will use it. Stop blaming Jim. If the problem you have with is the AI, then you have the wrong problem. The real problem is my son was shot.”

“If you believe that that is not the problem, then you are part of the problem,” he added.

Acosta also reiterated the intent behind the interview, saying, “Joaquin, known as Guac, should be 25 years old today. His father approached me to do the story… to keep the memory of his son alive.”

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