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Meta, the owner of Facebook, is set to launch a series of AI-powered chatbots with different personalities as early as next month. The aim is to enhance user engagement on its social media platforms.
According to insiders, the tech giant, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has been developing prototypes of chatbots that can engage in human-like conversations with its nearly 4 billion users.
These chatbots, referred to internally as “personas,” will take on various characters. For example, one persona could speak like Abraham Lincoln, while another could provide travel advice in the style of a surfer.
The launch of these chatbots is expected in September. They will serve as a new search feature, offer recommendations, and provide users with an entertaining experience.
This move is part of Meta’s strategy to attract and retain users amid increasing competition from platforms like TikTok. It also aims to capitalize on the growing AI trend in Silicon Valley since the launch of Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Experts suggest that chatbots, in addition to boosting engagement, will collect vast amounts of data on users’ interests. This data can then be used by Meta to deliver more relevant content and advertisements, contributing to its advertising-driven revenue of $117 billion per year.
Ravit Dotan, an AI ethics adviser and co-founder of the Collaborative AI Responsibility lab at the University of Pittsburgh, expresses concerns about user privacy and the potential for manipulation through chatbot interactions.
Meta declined to comment on these developments.
Other tech companies have already launched chatbots with distinct personalities. Character.ai, a start-up backed by Andreessen Horowitz and valued at $1 billion, uses large language models to simulate conversations in the style of individuals like Elon Musk and Mario from Nintendo.
Snap, another tech company, introduced its own AI chatbot called “My AI” in February. It has already engaged with 150 million users and is described as an “experimental, friendly chatbot.” Snap has recently begun testing sponsored links within the feature.
During an earnings call, Zuckerberg shared that Meta will provide more details about its AI product roadmap at the Connect developer event in September. He envisions AI agents that can act as assistants, coaches, or facilitate interactions with businesses and creators.
Zuckerberg also revealed Meta’s plans to develop AI agents to assist businesses with customer service and to provide an internal AI-powered productivity assistant for staff.
In the long run, Meta may explore the creation of an avatar chatbot within the metaverse, according to a knowledgeable source. Zuckerberg is heavily invested in ideating about this concept.
Meta has been investing in generative AI technology capable of producing text, images, and code. This month, it launched Llama 2, a commercial version of a large language model that could power its chatbots.
To support its AI products, Meta is working on procuring tens of thousands of GPUs, which are essential for powering large language models.
The development of chatbots by Meta will likely face scrutiny from experts who will monitor them for bias and the potential distribution of harmful or false content. Meta may implement technology to screen user questions and automate checks on chatbot output to ensure accuracy and compliance with rules.
Additional reporting by Tim Bradshaw in London
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