AI Visualises Brits’ Alternative Ideas on the Afterlife

What happens after we die is one of life’s big unanswered questions. So, over 50s experts SunLife asked Brits from different walks of life “what do you think happens when we die?”. And then, using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, they created imagery that shows what the public’s vision of the afterlife really is.

Reincarnation

The most common theme in Brits’ depiction of the afterlife is reincarnation, with 28% of the responses mentioning this. One respondent shared “I think you go into the light and are reborn. The light is in the delivery room.”

Using this response as a prompt, the AI tool generated the following image – showing someone walking towards a light in a delivery room at a hospital.

Reunited with loved ones

The words “peace” and “happiness” were mentioned by 13% and 10% of respondents respectively.

A similar sentiment (13%) was being reunited with loved ones, or watching over loved ones who are still alive.

One respondent felt that after you die, two angels will greet you, which has been depicted in the imagery here.

Judgement was also a recurring theme, with 11% of respondents reckoning that you’ll be judged in some way. They believe that what happens in the afterlife is based on how you acted in your previous life.

Nature and Animals

Nature, animals and greenery also appeared, with respondents discussing outside areas where you remain forever. One individual said they believed we end up in a garden with flowers surrounded by nature, whilst another believed that after you die you turn into a butterfly.

Alternative Universe

Although less popular, 4% of respondents believe in another universe – with one person saying “I believe where we go is an alternative universe. Where we have the ability to connect and see our old life hence why some of us have paranormal experiences. It is those who have moved onto the next stage trying to tell us they are there”.

We often see alternative universes in sci-fi films, when portals lead to a new dimension – and the following AI image seems inspired by similar scenes.

Energy and Souls

There were also repeated mentions of energy and souls living on, so when we die, we leave our body but our conscience remains. A respondent said “I’d like to think when the soul leaves the vessel the energy is dispersed around until it chooses another life to live.”

Memories

Lastly, the theory that we relive our memories after we pass created this imagery. Some believe that when we die, we relive our whole life’s memories – which might be a split second in real life, but lasts over 50 years in our minds.