AI, Gaming, Virtual Worlds Redefine Holocaust Memory

Experts warn that sustainability, ethics and collaboration are key as new digital technologies transform how the Holocaust is remembered and taught.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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As Holocaust survivors age and first-hand testimony becomes rarer, educators, researchers and designers are increasingly turning to emerging technologies like video games, virtual reality, and AI to preserve memory, foster empathy and engage younger generations. However, experts caution that the use of these new tools must be thoughtful and collaborative to ensure historical truth and memory endures for generations to come.

Why it matters

The shift to digital Holocaust memory raises new questions about interactivity, responsibility and historical accuracy. While new technologies open up innovative ways to engage audiences, there are also risks around monetization, lack of ethical oversight, and the potential for digital projects to quickly become obsolete.

The details

Researchers and designers are working to create narrative-driven games and immersive virtual spaces that allow users to interact with and experience Holocaust history. However, there are concerns that interactivity could lead users to believe they can change the historical narrative, which is not the case. Additionally, the rapid spread of generative AI means Holocaust-related content is vulnerable to being monetized without proper historical context or ethical considerations.

  • In 2026, the Landecker Digital Memory Lab at the University of Sussex participated in a panel discussion on "Technology, Memory, and the Future of Holocaust Remembrance" at UN Headquarters in New York.

The players

Professor Victoria Grace Richardson-Walden

Director of the Landecker Digital Memory Lab at the University of Sussex, who cautions that sustainability, ethics and collaboration are key as new digital technologies transform how the Holocaust is remembered and taught.

Luc Bernard

A game designer who created the video game "The Light in the Darkness", which follows a Jewish family in Nazi-occupied France and aims to show the real story of the Holocaust, rather than a Hollywood ending.

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What they’re saying

“It doesn't have a Hollywood ending; I decided to show the real story, which was that most Jews during the Holocaust were murdered.”

— Luc Bernard, Game designer (Mirage News)

“People relate to the characters, and it's resonated more with them than even movies around the Holocaust. That's just the power of videogames or any form of art. It depends on how you direct it.”

— Luc Bernard, Game designer (Mirage News)

“Without all coming together, we are wasting resources, we are spreading our human resources, our financial resources, our technologies and our time really thinly.”

— Professor Victoria Grace Richardson-Walden, Director, Landecker Digital Memory Lab (Mirage News)

“But, anyone in the gaming industry understands that is an illusion of agency. You can't change the narrative.”

— Professor Victoria Grace Richardson-Walden, Director, Landecker Digital Memory Lab (Mirage News)

“People know the Holocaust performs well online. Holocaust is a well-talked-about subject. People know about it. People want to talk about it, which is great, but also a problem in this sphere because that means it can be monetised.”

— Professor Victoria Grace Richardson-Walden, Director, Landecker Digital Memory Lab (Mirage News)

What’s next

The Light in the Darkness video game is currently being funded by the Claims Conference and META for a director's cut that will include extra scenes to go deeper into the story.

The takeaway

As new digital technologies transform how the Holocaust is remembered and taught, experts emphasize the need for thoughtful, collaborative, and sustainable approaches that prioritize historical accuracy, ethical considerations, and the long-term preservation of Holocaust memory.