Meta has filed a patent for an artificial intelligence (AI) technology that keeps a user's account active even after death. It is claimed that the AI ​​will continue to post, comment, and communicate even after death by simulating the content a person posts, sends messages, video interactions, and overall online behavior while they are alive.

The recently approved and widely discussed patent on social media envisages training an AI model using a user's past activity on Meta's various platforms. This includes posts, comments, private messages, photos and other types of online activity. The system will then use that data to generate new content that reflects the person's style, preferences and way of communicating. According to the patent document, the technology can be used even when the user is absent from the platform or has died. The AI ​​is said to have the ability to publish posts, reply to comments and even send direct messages in a manner consistent with previous behavior. The document mentions the possibility of simulating audio or video interactions through advanced generative models. Meta has not announced any commercial or practical aspects related to this patent. The company has been offering a ‘memorial’-style option on Facebook and Instagram that preserves a user’s profile after their death but limits active interaction. It is referred to as ‘in memory of’ or ‘remembering’.

The newly published patent indicates increasing competition and competition in the AI ​​market. Instead of closing an account or leaving it as it is, AI will allow a digital version of the user to continue interacting. The concept is a mix of generative AI and the concept of ‘digital afterlife’.

These ‘deadbots’, which are built using large language models and voice synthesis technology, are trained on a person’s old emails, messages, social media posts and articles. This allows the AI ​​to imitate the person’s word choice and speaking style. However, the legal and ethical aspects of these technologies are very complex.