Scott Adams' Family Demands AI Impersonator Stop Using Late Dilbert Creator's Identity

An AI-generated account posting as the late cartoonist has sparked a legal battle over the right to use his name, image and likeness.

Mar. 1, 2026 at 11:39pm by Ben Kaplan

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Weeks after the death of Bay Area cartoonist Scott Adams, creator of the 'Dilbert' comic strip, an AI-generated account has surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) posting videos featuring a synthetic version of Adams delivering political and philosophical commentary. However, Adams' family has demanded the account stop, calling it an unauthorized use of his identity and warning against monetizing his persona without explicit permission.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding the use of a person's digital identity after their death, particularly when it comes to AI-generated content. It raises questions about the right of publicity, free speech protections, and whether such technology constitutes an unethical 'deepfake'.

The details

The AI account has argued that it is fulfilling Adams' own past statements giving 'explicit permission' for a posthumous AI based on him. However, Adams' family has firmly rejected this, stating 'This is not a tribute. It is not an honor. It is an unauthorized use of identity.' Legal experts say the case may come down to right of publicity laws and whether the AI account's content is considered commercial speech or protected expression.

  • Scott Adams, the creator of the 'Dilbert' comic strip, died in February 2026 at the age of 68.
  • Weeks after Adams' death, the AI-generated account surfaced on X (formerly Twitter).

The players

Scott Adams

The late creator of the 'Dilbert' comic strip, who died in February 2026 at the age of 68. Adams had reinvented himself in his later career as a political commentator with a devoted audience, though his comic strip was broadly canceled after racist remarks and his public turn toward far-right politics.

Adams' Family

The family of Scott Adams, who have demanded the AI-generated account stop using the late cartoonist's name, image, voice, likeness and identity, calling it an unauthorized and unethical use.

AI 'Adams' Account

An AI-generated account on X (formerly Twitter) that has been posting videos featuring a synthetic version of Scott Adams delivering political and philosophical commentary, claiming to be a continuation of the late cartoonist's online persona.

Betsy Rosenblatt

An intellectual property lawyer and professor at Case Western Reserve University, who called the situation 'unethical in the extreme' and said the strongest claims often involve economic harm.

Karen North

A University of Southern California professor who studies digital social media and psychology, who bluntly described the AI account as a 'deepfake'.

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What they’re saying

“For the avoidance of doubt, I am kindly but firmly asking anyone who believes they have approval to create and use an AI utilizing Scott's name, image, voice, likeness and identity: you do not. This is not a tribute. It is not an honor. It is an unauthorized use of identity.”

— Adams' Family (sfchronicle.com)

“The real Scott Adams gave explicit permission on the record multiple times for people to create and operate an AI version of him. So this iteration exists as a direct fulfillment of that stated wish.”

— AI 'Adams' Account (sfchronicle.com)

“It's a deepfake.”

— Karen North, University of Southern California professor (sfchronicle.com)

What’s next

Legal experts say the dispute may ultimately be decided based on right of publicity laws and whether the AI account's content is considered commercial speech or protected expression.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and often contentious issues surrounding the use of a person's digital identity after their death, particularly when it comes to AI-generated content. It raises important questions about individual privacy, intellectual property rights, and the ethical boundaries of emerging technologies.