Meta has secured a new patent that explores how artificial intelligence could take control of a user’s social media presence and act on their behalf. The patent, granted in December 2025 and originally filed in 2023, names Meta’s CTO Andrew Bosworth among its contributors. The company proposes using a powerful large language model trained on a person’s entire online history including posts, comments, likes, messages, and behavioural patterns to create a digital replica of the user.
According to the patent details, Meta wants to develop a “digital twin” capable of posting updates, replying to comments, and chatting with other users while mimicking the original person’s tone and style. The system would analyse past activity to understand how someone communicates online and then generate content that feels authentic.
How the AI simulation would work
Meta explains that the AI model would learn from historical data such as:
- Previous posts and comments
- Likes and reactions
- Messaging patterns
- Overall online behaviour
Once trained, the AI could step in when a user becomes inactive — whether due to a temporary break or death — and continue running the account. Meta suggests that such technology might help friends and family cope with loss by maintaining a familiar digital presence.
The rise of “Grief Tech”
The concept falls under a growing trend known as “Grief Tech,” where companies attempt to recreate or preserve digital personalities after death. Platforms like Replika and Microsoft — which patented a chatbot simulating deceased individuals in 2021 — have already explored similar ideas. Another project, You, Only Virtual, focuses on creating virtual versions of people for emotional support. However, experts warn that the technology raises major ethical and privacy concerns. Questions about user consent, identity misuse, and emotional impact remain unresolved. Critics argue that not everyone would want an AI version of themselves continuing to interact online.
Beyond Death: How AI Could Manage Your Social Media During Inactivity
Meta’s patent also mentions using AI when users are simply away from social media for extended periods. While this could keep engagement levels high on the platform, it also blurs the line between genuine human interaction and AI-generated activity.
Still only an experimental idea
Despite the attention surrounding the patent, Meta says it has no immediate plans to launch such a system. The company frequently files patents for experimental technologies that never become real products. Even so, the proposal highlights how quickly AI is reshaping digital identity — and how the boundary between our online personas and real selves is becoming increasingly unclear.
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