Exclusive-Meta's AI chatbot to start speaking in the voices of Judi Dench, Kristen Bell, John Cena, and more
Facebook owner Meta Platforms is set to announce that it has secured deals with several actors, including Judi Dench, Kristen Bell, and John Cena, to provide voices for its Meta AI chatbot. According to a source familiar with the company's plans, this new audio feature will allow users to choose a voice for Meta's digital assistant from a selection of five celebrities, such as Awkwafina and Keegan-Michael Key, as well as various generic voice options.
The unveiling of the audio capabilities is scheduled to take place at Meta's annual Connect conference starting this week. Additionally, Meta is expected to introduce an initial version of its augmented-reality glasses at the event and discuss its future hardware roadmap, which includes products like the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
The celebrity voices will initially roll out in the U.S. and other English-speaking markets across Meta's family of apps, which encompass platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported on Meta's conversations with celebrities regarding their involvement in AI projects.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently shared a promotional video on Instagram featuring John Cena, showcasing various individuals, including himself, participating in activities while wearing the Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Meta has been actively developing generative artificial intelligence products for its vast user base, aiming to compete with industry players like Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Google.
As part of its efforts, Meta has enhanced its chatbot's capabilities and integrated it more deeply into the user experience across its apps. OpenAI had introduced a similar audio feature for its chatbot in May, which drew attention when Scarlett Johansson criticized the company for making the voice sound like her own without her involvement.
Meta's AI assistant presently supports text chats and image generation in response to user requests. Last year, Meta experimented with text-based "character" versions of the chatbot inspired by celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Snoop Dogg, although these initiatives did not gain significant traction.
Subsequently, Meta shifted its focus to an AI Studio product that empowers content creators on its platforms to develop chatbot versions of themselves. This move underscores Meta's commitment to advancing AI technologies and enhancing user experiences.
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