An informal, often critical term for a person who passes questions or tasks to an artificial intelligence (AI) system and then forwards its responses without meaningfully reviewing, understanding, verifying, or contributing to the output. The term describes situations in which a human serves primarily as an intermediary between AI and another person, rather than adding independent knowledge, judgment, analysis, or accountability.

The expression gained attention in August 2026 following an essay titled Don't be a meat proxy by software developer Niklas Gruhn. It reflects growing concerns about the uncritical use of generative AI in workplaces, education, and professional communication.

The term is particularly relevant to discussions about AI literacy, critical thinking, human oversight, professional accountability, and the changing value of human contributions in technology-enabled workplaces.