In the journey of seeking life’s meaning, people often ask themselves: “If I had chosen differently back then, how would my life be now?” The idea of a tool for experiencing parallel lives emerges as an answer to that question, opening up a vision where we can step beyond the limits of a single lifetime to experiment, observe, and feel the different possibilities of ourselves.
This tool could operate through the combination of VR/AR technology and artificial intelligence. The system would simulate multiple parallel life scenarios based on personal data, preferences, or hypothetical choices. Users could “live out” different versions of themselves: an artist, a scientist, a farmer, or an explorer. Not only observing, they could also interactively role-play, making decisions and witnessing the consequences in these “parallel lives.”
If implemented, the tool would bring many benefits. It would help people explore themselves, gaining deeper insight into hidden abilities and the value of choices. In education, young people could try out different career paths before making decisions about their future. On a psychological level, it could serve as a therapeutic tool, offering comfort to those burdened by regret when they see that another “version” of themselves could still be happy. At the same time, it could spark creativity, inspiring art, literature, and research.
However, challenges remain. The boundary between reality and simulation could blur, leading users to immerse too deeply in imagined worlds and neglect the present. Life simulations based on data and assumptions may struggle with accuracy, making them less reflective of real outcomes. Privacy protection is also essential, since personal data forms the foundation of the system. Finally, social acceptance could be a barrier, as some may fear that such a tool would distance people from reality.
Even so, the vision of a world where each person can experience parallel versions of themselves continues to inspire hope. A tool for experiencing parallel lives would not only open the door for people to live more than once, but also help them appreciate their real life more deeply. Yet it also raises a profound question: does living in many imagined lives help us understand the true value of the present, or will it keep us chasing possibilities that can never become reality?
