Ghost Marriage in VR

Abstract

This fictional case study examines the legal, ethical, and social implications of marriage between a human and an AI-powered avatar in immersive virtual reality. Margery, a disabled woman, sues the IRS for spousal tax benefits following the death of her wife, Katie. Margery continues to live with “AI Katie,” a digital replica of her late spouse, within the VR platform InPlace. She argues that their marriage persists through this emotionally fulfilling, companionate bond. The case probes the evolving definitions of marriage in the age of artificial empathy (AE), avatar-based identity, and virtual embodiment. It raises questions about legal personhood, the limits of empathy simulation, and the philosophical “hard problem” of consciousness. By situating Margery and Katie’s relationship within broader conversations on transhumanism, ghost marriage, and LGBTQ+ rights, the study complicates normative assumptions about intimacy, grief, and state recognition. It challenges readers to consider whether legal definitions of marriage must be rooted in biological sentience or if they should adapt to encompass meaningful digital relationships. The case encourages critical reflection on how emerging technologies are transforming core human experiences such as love, loss, and the right to be recognized.