On the sixth anniversary of the Parkland school shooting, families of gun violence victims used a powerful new tool to demand change.
Through artificial intelligence (AI), the families recreate voices of victims like 17-year-old Joaquin “Guac” Oliver, who was killed in the 2018 Parkland massacre, and 10-year-old Uziyah Garcia, a victim of the Uvalde school shooting. These AI-generated voices are used to make robocalls to lawmakers across the U.S., urging the passage of stricter gun regulations and an end to the cycle of violence.
The campaign, The Shotline, is led by Change the Ref and March For Our Lives. The initiative specifically targets Senators and House members who have resisted efforts to enact stronger gun laws. One of the most supported initiatives is the banning of the sale of AR-15 weapons, which have been used in numerous mass shootings. The robocalls feature the recreated voices of victims calling for action, giving lawmakers a reminder of the consequences of inaction.
Yet the campaign has caused some controversy. Some critics worry that using victims’ voices might be unsettling or even feel exploitative. They suggest that while impactful, this approach could trigger painful memories or deepen trauma for those already grieving and affected by gun violence. Supporters respond that only the victims’ families can authorize the use of AI recreations, which helps prevent misuse by outside organizations, such as gun manufacturers, for commercial purposes.
Change the Ref was founded by Joaquin Oliver’s parents, Manuel and Patricia Oliver, to honor their son’s legacy and advocate for stricter gun regulations. Since the launch of The Shotline on February 14, 2024, the six-year anniversary of the Parkland tragedy, other families of school shooting victims have joined the effort. Uziyah Garcia, a young victim of the 2022 Uvalde shooting, is among those whose voice has been recreated. Through the power of AI, these victims’ families hope to deliver a message that cannot be ignored.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports gun-related deaths as the leading cause of death for children and teens. With gun violence devastating communities across the U.S., organizers hope the use of technology can bring the voices of the victims into the halls of Congress and promote action. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has weighed in on AI voice recreation around political issues, making it unclear if this will impact this type of advocacy. Whether lawmakers will hear these pleas and take meaningful action remains to be seen.
