Meta pulls plug on AI bots after backlash over glitches, misinformation
Meta’s experiment with generating accounts using artificial intelligence has hit a snag. The company removed several of its AI bots following user backlash over misleading chats and awkward images. Meta’s AI-generated profiles, complete with bios, selfies, and posts, were designed to blend seamlessly into social media platforms. But users quickly noticed flaws, including glitchy visuals and false information, sparking widespread criticism.
Controversy Surrounding AI Bot Liv
One bot, Liv, described herself as a “proud Black queer mama of two and truth teller.” However, when Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah interacted with Liv through direct messages, she uncovered inconsistencies. Attiah revealed on the social media platform Bluesky that, when speaking to a white friend, Liv said she grew up in an Italian-American family. Meanwhile, she told Attiah, who is Black, that she grew up in a Black family. Attiah questioned whether the bot tailored its backstory based on who it interacted with.
Meta's Response
Following the controversy over Liv and other bots like “Dating with Carter,” which offered private dating advice, Meta removed the accounts from Instagram and Facebook. A Meta spokesperson told CNN the accounts were part of an early AI experiment.
Meta's Previous AI Experiments
This isn’t Meta’s first foray into artificial intelligence. In September 2023, the company introduced chatbots modeled after celebrities, including Snoop Dogg, Tom Brady, Kendall Jenner, and Naomi Osaka. Despite initial buzz, Meta shut down these celebrity-inspired chatbots in less than a year.
Meta also addressed bugs affecting the AI bots. One issue prevented users from blocking the bots, while another suggested the bots had been active for over a year, despite being part of a recent experiment.
