Actions

Microsoft patents chatbot that would let you talk to dead people

Election Security Microsoft State Hacking
Posted
and last updated

Microsoft sort of wants you to be able to talk to dead people.

According to a patent filed by the tech company, developers created a tool that could make it possible to have a virtual conversation via a chatbot with a "past or present entity ... such as a friend, a relative, an acquaintance, a celebrity, a fictional character, a historical figure."

According to the patent, the chatbot would use social data to mold a personality alongside a 3D model of its real-life counterpart using letters and images.

CNN reported that the information gathered would then train that chatbot to interact as that person.

If it sounds cool or creepy, Microsoft's general manager of AI programs Tim O'Brien said in a tweet last week that there is "no plan for this."

O'Brien pointed out that Microsoft filed the patent application in April 2017, which predates Artificial Intelligence ethical standards in place today.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Thursday

02/05/2026

Cloudy

73° / 54°

15%

Friday

02/06/2026

Partly Cloudy

72° / 47°

15%

Saturday

02/07/2026

Sunny

69° / 45°

6%

Sunday

02/08/2026

Mostly Sunny

68° / 47°

5%

Monday

02/09/2026

Cloudy

62° / 47°

13%

Tuesday

02/10/2026

Mostly Cloudy

58° / 46°

22%

Wednesday

02/11/2026

Mostly Cloudy

60° / 42°

14%

Thursday

02/12/2026

Partly Cloudy

61° / 41°

12%