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EastEnders Unveils AI ‘Grief Tech’ Plot as Patrick Recreates His Late Son

The storyline anchors the BBC’s AI Unpacked Week public‑education push.

Overview

  • Patrick Trueman will turn to software that digitally recreates his son Anthony following the character’s funeral.
  • Upcoming episodes will depict Patrick growing increasingly dependent on the virtual version, raising concern among those close to him.
  • The arc is part of AI Unpacked Week running March 2–8 across the BBC to help audiences understand artificial intelligence.
  • Companion programming includes Panorama’s Will Robots Take My Job?, a new run of The Capture exploring deepfakes, BBC Bitesize guidance and CBeebies resources for families.
  • Nicholas Bailey, who played Anthony, said he was sad to be written out but backed the creative direction as beneficial for the show.