diff --git a/addons/activeblue_ai/__init__.py b/addons/activeblue_ai/__init__.py
index 83cffb9..0df9f4b 100644
--- a/addons/activeblue_ai/__init__.py
+++ b/addons/activeblue_ai/__init__.py
@@ -4,20 +4,22 @@ import logging
 _logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-def _create_ai_bot_partner(env):
-    """Create the ActiveBlue AI bot partner via ORM so all field defaults are applied."""
-    XID = 'activeblue_ai.partner_activeblue_ai'
-    if not env.ref(XID, raise_if_not_found=False):
-        partner = env['res.partner'].create({
-            'name': 'ActiveBlue AI',
-            'active': True,
-            'partner_share': False,
-        })
-        env['ir.model.data'].create({
-            'module': 'activeblue_ai',
-            'name': 'partner_activeblue_ai',
-            'model': 'res.partner',
-            'res_id': partner.id,
-            'noupdate': True,
-        })
-        _logger.info('Created ActiveBlue AI bot partner id=%d', partner.id)
+def _ensure_ai_bot_user(env):
+    """Create the ActiveBlue AI internal user so it appears in Discuss DM search."""
+    if env['res.users'].search([('login', '=', 'activeblue_ai_bot')]):
+        return
+    user = env['res.users'].create({
+        'name': 'ActiveBlue AI',
+        'login': 'activeblue_ai_bot',
+        'groups_id': [(6, 0, [env.ref('base.group_user').id])],
+        'share': False,
+        'active': True,
+    })
+    env['ir.model.data'].create({
+        'module': 'activeblue_ai',
+        'name': 'partner_activeblue_ai',
+        'model': 'res.partner',
+        'res_id': user.partner_id.id,
+        'noupdate': True,
+    })
+    _logger.info('Created ActiveBlue AI bot user id=%d', user.id)
diff --git a/addons/activeblue_ai/__manifest__.py b/addons/activeblue_ai/__manifest__.py
index 54ef607..306adcb 100644
--- a/addons/activeblue_ai/__manifest__.py
+++ b/addons/activeblue_ai/__manifest__.py
@@ -34,5 +34,6 @@ CRM, sales, project management, eLearning, expenses, and HR.
     'installable': True,
     'application': True,
     'auto_install': False,
-    'post_init_hook': '_create_ai_bot_partner',
+    'post_init_hook': '_ensure_ai_bot_user',
+    'post_migrate_hook': '_ensure_ai_bot_user',
 }