Dame Judi Dench and John Cena to voice Meta AI chatbot
Meta, the owner of Instagram, has announced that Dame Judi Dench and John Cena will be the voice options for its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. Users will also have the opportunity to interact with AI versions of Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, or Kristen Bell.
Celebrity Chatbot History
This new venture into celebrity chatbots comes after Meta's previous attempt faced challenges. In September 2023, Meta introduced AI chatbots with "personality" based on celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Snoop Dogg. Unfortunately, the project was discontinued less than a year later.
During Meta's annual Connect conference, Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of the technology giant, revealed the new celebrity chatbots initiative. He emphasized the importance of voice as a more natural way to interact with AI compared to text.
Enhancements to the Chatbot
Aside from celebrity voice options, the Meta AI chatbot will come with new features such as photo recognition capabilities and image editing tools. Users can now receive information about objects in their photos and make edits by instructing the AI.
Meta shared that over 400 million people are currently using Meta AI every month, with 185 million users returning weekly. Additionally, Mr. Zuckerberg unveiled the first working prototype of Meta's augmented-reality (AR) glasses named Orion, which offers innovative interaction methods like hand-tracking and voice control.
Meta's Technological Advancements
In a push towards innovation, Meta also introduced an entry-level version of its Quest line of mixed-reality headsets, with the new Quest 3S starting at $300 (£225). While other tech companies have been exploring AR glasses, commercial success in this area has been elusive.
Meta has invested significantly in AI, AR, and metaverse technologies, with plans to allocate up to $40 billion to new projects this year. This commitment has seen Meta's stock market value surge by over 60% since the beginning of the year.
Content Usage Controversy
Prior to the annual showcase, Meta faced challenges when false claims circulated among Facebook and Instagram users, including celebrities like James McAvoy and Tom Brady. The misinformation stated that users had to repost a Stories post to prevent Meta from using their content for training its AI tools.
A Meta spokesperson clarified that users can object to content usage by submitting a form rather than reposting. This form can be accessed through notifications or the privacy center under account settings.
In conclusion, Meta's foray into celebrity chatbots, technological advancements, and handling of content usage issues highlight the company's ongoing evolution in the tech industry.
