Meta Patents AI to Post and Chat on Behalf of Deceased Users

Meta Platforms Inc. has unveiled a groundbreaking, yet controversial, patent for an artificial intelligence system capable of autonomously managing the social media accounts of deceased users. According to a report by Dexerto, the patent describes an AI model trained on a user’s historical data—including posts, messages, photos, and interaction patterns—to generate new content that mimics the deceased individual’s voice, tone, and style. The system would activate upon verified confirmation of the user’s death, continuing to engage with friends and family through comments, replies, and even direct messages.

The patent, granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and detailed in a Business Insider analysis, positions the technology as a tool for "digital continuity" and emotional support for grieving loved ones. Meta’s documentation suggests the AI could be configured to post anniversaries, birthdays, or even respond to inquiries as if the user were still alive, creating what the company terms a "persistent digital presence." The system would leverage large language models (LLMs) trained exclusively on the user’s own data, ensuring behavioral fidelity while avoiding the generation of content outside their established patterns.

While Meta has not publicly announced plans to deploy the technology, the patent filing signals a strategic shift in how tech giants are redefining identity beyond biological life. Critics, including digital ethicists and privacy advocates, warn that such systems risk blurring the line between memory and manipulation. "There’s a profound difference between preserving a digital archive and simulating a living person," said Dr. Elena Rodriguez, a bioethics professor at Stanford University. "This isn’t just about honoring the dead—it’s about monetizing their absence. Who consents to this? And who controls the AI’s output?"

Meta’s Newsroom has not issued an official statement regarding the patent, but the company has previously explored similar concepts under its "digital legacy" initiatives. In 2022, Facebook introduced a "Legacy Contact" feature allowing users to designate someone to manage their account after death, but this latest patent goes far beyond archival preservation. It actively generates content, raising questions about authenticity and psychological impact on survivors. Early user testing, reportedly conducted internally, showed mixed results: some families reported comfort in continued interaction, while others described the experience as uncanny and distressing.

Legal experts also highlight regulatory gaps. Currently, no U.S. or EU law explicitly governs AI-driven digital resurrection. The European Union’s proposed Artificial Intelligence Act classifies certain AI systems as "high-risk," but does not yet address posthumous digital personas. Meanwhile, Meta’s patent includes provisions for users to opt out of the system during their lifetime—a crucial safeguard, yet one that depends on proactive user engagement, which studies show is rare among younger demographics.

As social media becomes an increasingly central part of personal identity, Meta’s patent raises existential questions: What does it mean to be remembered in the digital age? Should grief be mediated by algorithms? And who owns a person’s digital soul after death? While the technology may offer solace to some, its broader societal implications demand urgent public discourse, transparent governance, and robust ethical frameworks before any rollout. For now, Meta’s AI ghost remains a patent—not a product—but one that may soon redefine how humanity confronts mortality in the age of machines.