Now that AI can seamlessly imitate a person's voice and likeness, this means our digital likeness is virtually immortal. If AI has access to enough of your conversation and writing, it can probably do a good job of impersonating your personality, too.

The default in copyright law is that everyone owns their own likeness. It's why you often see faces blurred out on TV. It means the production company didn't get the person to sign a model release form. However, the law is much less clear about likeness ownership after death. It varies by country and state, and generally gives much fewer rights to the individual.

Is it time to strengthen those laws? The thought of being the property of Big Tech in perpetuity is dystopian and depressing, even if you won't be around to experience it.

https://redlib.catsarch.com/r/stupidpol/comments/1r746k3/meta_patents_ai_that_takes_over_a_dead_persons/

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

[^2]: Death isn't the end: Meta patented an AI that lets you keep posting from beyond the grave - Business Insider

Corporate greed knows no limit

Meta has been granted a patent outlining an AI system capable of simulating a user’s activity on social media to post after their death.

Meta has been granted a patent outlining an AI system capable of simulating a user’s activity on social media to post after their death.

cross-posted from: https://piefed.social/c/technology/p/1785983/meta-patents-ai-that-takes-over-a-dead-persons-account-to-keep-posting-and-chatting-dex

Meta has been granted a patent outlining an AI system capable of simulating a user’s activity on social media to post after their death.

Some fucked up shit.

Meta has been granted a patent outlining an AI system capable of simulating a user’s activity on social media to post after their death.

Some fucked up shit.