In a recent interview with the Verge, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed his belief that AI versions of celebrities could begin interacting with people as early as next year. He emphasized the considerable demand for AI-powered celebrity interactions, citing the challenge celebrities face in managing their communities due to time constraints.
Using Kylie Jenner as an example, Zuckerberg illustrated how AI could serve as an assistant to celebrities like her, offering an engaging experience for fans. He clarified that users would be aware they’re interacting with AI versions, not the actual individuals. However, he noted that this development might take shape more prominently in the coming year, citing concerns related to brand safety and the need for technology to advance to a point where it can create highly realistic AI personas.
During the Meta Connect event, Meta unveiled 28 AI personalities for its chatbots, featuring likenesses of various celebrities, including Snoop Dogg, Tom Brady, Paris Hilton, and Kendall Jenner, who lent her image to an AI persona named Billie. This move aligns with the growing interest in AI-generated content, ranging from music to deepfakes, which have gained traction on social media platforms.
However, the rise of AI in media doesn’t draw unanimous cheers. Spotify’s head honcho picked up on valid worries from the music industry about songs birthed by AI, and he’s promised to puzzle out solutions for safeguarding artists’ stakes. Frightened whispers within showbiz circles suggest that studios could shove human actors aside in favor of performances drummed up by AI—this fear has sparked many a debating session and provoked strike action.
Zuckerberg’s vision for AI celebs, while intriguing and offering a glimpse of what tech’s future may look like, also draws up substantial ethical and practical queries. And these must be addressed before such interactions can become everyday staples in our lives. This is to say that there’s an ongoing debate on the AI integration into different forms of media—reflecting tangled considerations at the crossroads where technology meets creativity and intertwines with society.
