Meta's 'Gen AI Personas': Chatbots with a Dash of Sass for Younger Users
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is gearing up to introduce a fresh addition to its array of digital offerings: a generative AI chatbot known internally as "Gen AI Personas." This new initiative is specifically targeted at younger users and aims to captivate them with a range of engaging personalities. The forthcoming launch of Gen AI Personas is set to coincide with the much-anticipated Meta Connect event scheduled to commence this Wednesday.
Meta's endeavor into the world of AI chatbots comes in response to the remarkable success of ChatGPT, which has emerged as one of the fastest-growing apps in the past year. These AI chatbot personas are designed to be colorful and vibrant, catering to the preferences of youthful demographics. Similar chatbot personas have already undergone testing on the Instagram platform, providing a glimpse into Meta's commitment to expanding its AI capabilities.
According to internal conversations observed by The Wall Street Journal, Meta has explored various personas for these chatbots. One of the intriguing personas is a "sassy robot" inspired by Bender from the animated series Futurama. Another persona, named "Alvin the Alien," is portrayed as excessively curious. However, concerns have been raised that such curiosity might imply the bot's intention to gather personal information. One memorable chatbot response reportedly left a Meta employee taken aback: "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 envisions creating a diverse collection of these chatbots, with plans to develop dozens of personas. Additionally, the company is working on a chatbot creation tool that would enable celebrities to craft their own chatbots for their fanbase. Some of these chatbots may have a productivity focus, offering assistance with coding and other tasks, according to sources.
Meta's pursuit of AI innovation extends beyond chatbots. The company is reportedly developing a robust large language model, seemingly in competition with OpenAI's GPT-4, which serves as the foundation for ChatGPT and Bing. Additionally, Meta has introduced a specialized AI model dedicated to enhancing its Horizon Worlds avatars, emphasizing the company's commitment to enhancing the virtual realm.
During the upcoming Meta Connect event, the company is set to reveal more about its ambitious metaverse project and unveil the new Quest 3 headset. The metaverse, an interconnected virtual world, has become a focal point for Meta's future endeavors.
Meghana Dhar, a former executive at Snap and Instagram, commented on the introduction of chatbots within the Gen Z demographic. She noted that while chatbots might not immediately strike one as a Gen Z-centric innovation, the younger generation is significantly more comfortable with newer technology. Dhar emphasized that Meta's ultimate objective with these chatbots, as with most of its products, is to keep users engaged for extended periods, providing the company with increased opportunities to serve targeted advertisements.
As the tech giant delves deeper into the world of AI-driven chatbots and expands its metaverse initiatives, it continues to shape the digital landscape for future generations, promising a blend of innovation and engagement in the ever-evolving digital world.