Meta bets big on celebrity AI voices and augmented reality glasses ...
On Wednesday, Meta launched AI chatbots featuring the voices of Hollywood celebrities such as Judi Dench and John Cena. The company is banking on its billions of users being enthusiastic about embracing artificial intelligence. CEO Mark Zuckerberg, during the annual product launch event, also introduced a prototype of augmented reality glasses that have a normal appearance. Zuckerberg envisions these glasses as a potential replacement for smartphones in the future. Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is heavily investing in AI, virtual reality, and augmented reality technologies in order to diversify its revenue streams. Despite this strategic shift, the company is facing challenges in convincing investors about the necessity of moving away from its highly profitable advertising-based business model.
Voice Interaction with AI
Zuckerberg expressed his belief that voice has the potential to become the most common way we interact with AI. He demonstrated a conversation with an AI version of performer Awkwafina, highlighting the improved user experience. This launch by Meta follows the introduction of OpenAI's ChatGPT voice feature, which faced criticism for its resemblance to actress Scarlett Johansson's voice.
Meta has obtained permission from the featured celebrities for its voice tool, which will be integrated into platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. However, due to data protection regulations in the EU, Meta AI will not be accessible in Europe. The functionality of Meta's AI heavily relies on data gathered from its massive user base, a practice that could potentially violate data privacy laws in Europe. Similar to other AI assistants like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, Meta's AI is designed to answer queries, generate images, compose messages, and offer companionship. The company reports that over 400 million users engage with Meta AI on a monthly basis, aiming to make it the most widely used AI assistant by the end of the year. Critics highlight that many users may inadvertently interact with Meta's AI, mistaking it for search functions on WhatsApp and Instagram.
Challenges and Competition
The competition in the AI industry is intense, with tech giants like Google and Microsoft leading in productivity features. Apple has also entered the market with AI-capable iPhones. These advancements necessitate significant resources, impacting the budgets of companies involved. Despite concerns regarding heavy investments in AI and VR technologies, Meta has witnessed a surge in profits and share prices due to successful advertising campaigns on Facebook and Instagram. Analysts point out that Meta faces challenges in terms of privacy and trust as it strives to establish itself as a prominent brand in the AI space.
Meta aims to alter these perceptions with its new augmented reality glasses named Orion. These glasses have a similar appearance to thick-rimmed reading glasses but are capable of displaying holographic text messages, apps, and facilitating video calls within the user's field of vision. While the product's release is still years away, Zuckerberg envisions it as a hands-free alternative to smartphones. Additionally, the company is emphasizing its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which function as earphones, capture photos and videos, and will soon support live translation capabilities.
In Conclusion
Meta's strategic focus on celebrity AI voices and augmented reality glasses represents a bold move towards reshaping the future of human-machine interaction. By integrating Hollywood voices into AI chatbots and developing innovative AR glasses, Meta is positioning itself at the forefront of technological innovation. As the company navigates the competitive landscape of AI and VR technologies, the success of its latest offerings will be crucial in shaping its future trajectory in the tech industry.
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