Meta AI chatbot to feature Dame Judi Dench and John Cena voices
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has announced that Dame Judi Dench and John Cena will be providing their voices for its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. Users will also have the option to interact with AI versions of Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, or Kristen Bell.
This move by Meta comes after its previous attempt at using celebrity chatbots, which included personalities like Kendall Jenner and Snoop Dogg, was pulled less than a year later. The company's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, shared the new celebrity chatbot initiative during Meta's annual Connect conference, emphasizing the importance of voice interaction with AI.
New features and offerings
Meta's AI chatbot, similar to ChatGPT, will now be able to recognize objects in user-uploaded photos and provide relevant information. Additionally, users can utilize an image editing feature to make adjustments to their photos by simply instructing the Meta AI.
The company revealed that over 400 million individuals are currently using Meta AI on a monthly basis, with 185 million of them returning weekly. Mark Zuckerberg also presented Meta's latest innovation, the Orion augmented-reality (AR) glasses, which allow users to engage through hand-tracking, voice commands, and a wrist-based interface.
Expanding product line
Meta introduced a more affordable version of its Quest mixed-reality headsets, starting at $300 (£225) for the Quest 3S. Despite Meta's continuous investments in AI, AR, and metaverse technologies, the commercial success of mass-market AR glasses remains elusive for major tech companies.
The tech giant is projected to allocate a record-high budget of up to $40 billion towards new projects this year. Ahead of the event, Meta's stock prices hit a new peak of $568.31, reflecting a market value surge of over 60% since the year's commencement.
User privacy concerns
Prior to the conference, numerous Facebook and Instagram users, including celebrities like James McAvoy and Tom Brady, fell victim to a misinformation campaign regarding Meta's usage of their content for AI training. Meta clarified that users can dispute content usage by submitting an objection form through notifications or the privacy centre in account settings.
As Meta continues to innovate and expand its product offerings, user privacy and engagement remain key focal points for the company.
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