Technology giant Meta Platforms has secured a patent for an artificial intelligence system designed to simulate a person’s digital presence even after their death, triggering fresh debate over ethics, privacy and the future of online identity.
According to reports, the patent — filed in 2023 by Meta’s Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth and granted in late December — proposes training a large language model (LLM) on a user’s historical data, including posts, comments and interactions. The system could then generate responses, like content and even reply to direct messages, effectively maintaining the user’s digital persona.
Simulating presence beyond life
The patent states that the language model may simulate a user “when the user is absent from the social networking system… or if the user is deceased.” It also references the potential to enable AI-generated audio and video interactions, creating a more immersive experience.
Meta clarified that filing a patent does not necessarily mean the technology will be launched. A spokesperson said the company often patents ideas without immediate plans for deployment.
In a previous conversation with podcaster Lex Fridman, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reflected on the possibility of digital avatars helping grieving families revisit memories of loved ones.
Ethical and emotional questions
The concept echoes philosophical beliefs in traditions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, where death is not seen as the absolute end. However, the digital replication of a deceased person raises complex concerns around consent, emotional impact and misuse.
Currently, Facebook offers a ‘Legacy Contact’ feature, allowing users to appoint someone to manage their profile after death.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, the balance between technological possibility and ethical responsibility remains at the centre of global discussions.