In a move that blurs the line between memory and simulation, Meta Platforms Inc. was recently granted a patent for an artificial intelligence system designed to keep social media accounts active after a user’s death. The patent, originally filed in 2023 and granted in late December 2025, describes an AI “stand-in” that can post, comment, and message on behalf of a deceased or absent user.
While the concept has sparked intense ethical debate, Meta’s CTO Andrew Bosworth, the primary inventor listed, has clarified that the company currently has no plans to deploy the feature.
How the “Digital Stand-In” Works
The patented technology aims to create a “digital twin” of a user’s online persona by training a large language model (LLM) on their specific digital footprint.
| Feature | Description |
| Training Data | Historical activity including posts, comments, likes, reactions, and messaging patterns. |
| Autonomous Action | The AI can autonomously like content, post status updates, and respond to Direct Messages (DMs). |
| Behavioral Mimicry | The system learns the user’s unique “voice,” topics of interest, and frequency of interaction. |
| Advanced Modes | The patent references the potential for the AI to simulate the user’s voice and video for interactive calls. |
The Rationale: Softening the “Blow of Absence”
In its filing, Meta argues that the permanent disappearance of a user significantly degrades the experience for their friends and followers.
- Permanent Absence: The document states, “The impact on the users is much more severe and permanent if that user is deceased and can never return.”
- Engagement Maintenance: By having an AI “perform” as the user, Meta believes it can maintain engagement levels and provide a sense of continuity for the community.
- Temporary Use: Beyond death, the patent suggests the AI could step in during “extended vacations” or social media breaks to keep an account active.
The Ethical “Can of Worms”
The patent has faced immediate backlash from sociologists and digital rights experts who warn of a “dystopian” future for mourning.
- Grief Interference: Sociology professor Joseph Davis (University of Virginia) noted that confronting actual loss is vital for healing, and simulated presence may cause confusion rather than comfort.
- Right to be Forgotten: Critics argue the technology could infringe upon an individual’s right to have their data deleted and their online presence ended upon death.
- Commercialized Memory: Ethicists worry that “ghost bots” could be used to serve advertisements or influence people through the simulated voices of loved ones.
“We have no plans to move forward with this example. Patents are often filed to protect ideas or disclose concepts that may never be built.” — Meta Spokesperson.
