Meta received a patent in late December 2025 for AI technology that could simulate a deceased person's social media activity by analyzing their historical data and behavior patterns[^1]. The system would use large language models to replicate posts, comments, likes, and even video calls in a way that mirrors the original account holder[^1].
The patent, authored by Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth, describes using "user-specific" data to maintain account activity when someone is either temporarily absent or deceased[^2]. However, Meta has stated they have "no plans to move forward with this example"[^2].
The concept has sparked ethical debates among experts. Joseph Davis, a sociology professor at the University of Virginia, expressed concerns about its impact on grief processing, stating "Let the dead be dead... One of the tasks of grief is to face the actual loss"[^2].
This isn't Meta's first exploration of digital legacy. Mark Zuckerberg discussed similar concepts in 2023, suggesting there "may be ways" for AI to help people interact with memories of loved ones, while emphasizing that such systems should require user consent[^1].
[^1]: Meta patents AI that takes over a dead person's account to keep posting and chatting - Dexerto
14 Comments
TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world · 24 pts · 217d
RustyNova@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 217d
We don't need the caption anymore lol
Blackfeathr@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 217d
Yeah this totally won't be detrimental to people's mental health.
BenderRodriguez@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 217d
hansolo@lemmy.today · 7 pts · 217d
Instead of the Doomsday clock showing proximity to midnight, we need a scale that shows how close we are to Black Mirror scifi dystopia.
gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works · 6 pts · 217d
It’s crazy that a whole chain of people were like “yeah that’s a good idea” and then some engineers were like “sure I guess we can implement that”
privatepirate@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 212d
The people who came up with this idea were thinking, "How can we profit off of our "customers" even after they die?" The engineers were thinking, "I don't want to lose my job."
gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 212d
Am engineer; I know 🫠
privatepirate@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 212d
That's rough, I wish you guys got some more say.
gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 212d
It’s frustrating, because I try to fight the good fight, but it’s a fine line, because if you push too hard, you don’t have a job anymore.
privatepirate@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 212d
I wish we had a job market where you wouldn't feel like you can't express your values because you could just go work at a competitor if you got fired for it.
flamekhan@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 217d
It seems like every day now that I have to break out the "man-made horrors beyond comprehension" line.
happytortoise@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 217d
So essentially if you decide to stop using Facebook or Instagram, this AI could pretend to be you in your place and make actions via your account. Gee, can’t see how that could possibly be abused.
ZombieCyborgFromOuterSpace@piefed.ca · 1 pts · 217d
Thank goodness I just deleted my account this week.
Zerush@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 217d
To freak out your family and friends, there isn't needed AI, there are services and also some mails which permits to send mails in a date in the future, maybe after your dead. I'm old and maybe it would be my last joke one day "Nice here, I'll waiting for you soon"