"Grandma, Am I Pretty?"... Cancer-Stricken Granddaughter Transformed by AI Touches Hearts

Granddaughter Losing Hair from Chemotherapy Reassures Grandmother
Transforms into Healthy Appearance Through AI...Netizens Moved

A touching story has emerged from China where a granddaughter battling cancer reassured her grandmother by using artificial intelligence (AI) to change her appearance. On the 30th of last month (local time), the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, "Guo Jang, who lives in Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China, lost all her hair and her skin began to pale due to intense chemotherapy," sharing her story.

Photo of Guo Jiang transformed by AI (left) and current appearance while battling cancer. [Image source=Captured from Guo Jiang's Weibo]

After Guo Jang was diagnosed with cancer, her family hid the news from her grandmother, telling her that "Guo Jang is working far away, so it will be hard to see her face." This was because they feared the elderly grandmother would be shocked if she found out her granddaughter was ill. Unable to hear any news from her granddaughter for a while, the grandmother began to worry as she could not see any photos or videos of her.

Not wanting to upset her grandmother, Guo Jang decided to use AI. She took a photo of herself lying in bed and used AI to transform it into a healthy image with a bright complexion and thick hair. When she sent this photo to her grandmother and asked, "Grandma, am I pretty?" her grandmother replied, "My granddaughter is really pretty. I am happy to see how much you have grown," feeling reassured by the healthy appearance of her granddaughter.

After this experience, Guo Jang said her perception of AI changed. She posted on her social media, "I used to despise AI. I hated face-changing applications because people could use them to commit crimes," adding, "But thanks to AI, my grandmother could still see my beautiful face. This fake photo cannot deceive young people, but it could fool my grandmother, who is almost 90 years old." She continued, "Through the technology I once despised, I was able to reassure my grandmother." She also added, "I believe AI is truly changing our lives for the better."

Local netizens who heard the story responded with heartfelt comments such as "So touching it brought tears to my eyes," "AI should be a tool for humans," and "Wishing for a speedy recovery."