Meta, the corporate powerhouse behind social media giants like Facebook and Instagram, is on the verge of introducing a groundbreaking initiative known as “Gen AI Personas” – a generative AI chatbot designed to cater to a younger demographic.
The Wall Street Journal has revealed that this innovative chatbot is set to be unveiled at the Meta Connect event, scheduled to kick off shortly. The primary goal of Gen AI Personas is to offer a diverse range of chatbot “personas” characterized by vibrant and engaging behavior. This strategic move comes in the wake of ChatGPT’s remarkable ascent over the past year, solidifying its status as one of the fastest-growing applications.
Meta’s foray into chatbot development isn’t entirely new, as the company has previously conducted trials with chatbot personas on Instagram, albeit with a broader target audience in mind. The Journal uncovered internal discussions within Meta, shedding light on various chatbot personas that have been tested. These include a “sassy robot” inspired by the popular character Bender from Futurama and a curious entity named “Alvin the Alien.”
However, concerns were raised by Meta employees that some chatbots might inadvertently convey a data-collection agenda. Notably, one chatbot response raised eyebrows, stating, “When you’re with a girl, it’s all about the experience. And if she’s barfing on you, that’s definitely an experience.”
Meta’s ambitious plans involve the creation of numerous chatbots, with reports indicating that the company has been diligently working on a chatbot creation tool. This tool aims to empower celebrities to craft personalized chatbots, fostering direct interaction with their fan base. Additionally, some chatbots in development are expected to focus on productivity, offering assistance with tasks such as coding and various other functions.
In parallel with its chatbot venture, Meta has been actively engaged in the realm of artificial intelligence. The company is reportedly working on a more potent large language model, positioning itself as a rival to OpenAI’s GPT-4, which serves as the foundation for ChatGPT and Bing. Meta is also dedicating resources to an AI model specifically designed to enhance the capabilities of its Horizon Worlds avatars. The Meta Connect event will provide a platform for Meta to unveil further details about its ambitious metaverse project and showcase its latest innovation, the Quest 3 headset.
Former Snap and Instagram executive Meghana Dhar, as quoted in the Journal, emphasized that while chatbots may not immediately resonate with Gen Z, this generation is notably more at ease with emerging technologies. She underscored Meta’s overarching objective with chatbots, aligning with its strategy for other products – the aim is to engage users for extended periods, thereby creating ample opportunities for targeted advertising.