Meta's Controversial AI Patent, the Concept of Maintaining a User's Digital Presence even after Death

California-based technology company Meta Platforms has filed a patent for an artificial intelligence system that can continue to post and communicate on a user’s social media accounts even after their death. The patent was granted in late December 2025 and describes the creation of a digital persona based on a large linguistic model.

According to the patent documents, the system can use data from the user’s past activities, writing style, likes and dislikes, and online interactions to create a persona that closely resembles the real person. The technology is said to be able to mimic the user’s expression not only through written messages but also through audio and video.

A company spokesperson said there are currently no practical plans to introduce the concept to the public. Nevertheless, the patent has sparked a debate about the technology and ethics, as critics say such digital mimicry raises sensitive questions about the memory and private identity of the deceased.

Experts are linking the idea to the concept of a “digital afterlife,” or robotic simulation of mourning, which has been debated globally before. Social media users have also had mixed reactions, with some calling it a means of emotional continuity while others have called it an overstepping of natural boundaries and against the peace of the deceased.