Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is reportedly venturing into an innovative realm of artificial intelligence (AI) by introducing AI-generated characters to its social media platforms. This development was highlighted by Connor Hayes, Vice President of Product for Generative AI at Meta, in a recent discussion with the Financial Times.
According to Hayes, these AI characters will feature personalised bios and profile pictures, allowing them to generate and share content powered by AI. He stated, “They’ll have bios and profile pictures and be able to generate and share content powered by AI on the platform… that’s where we see all of this going,” indicating a significant shift in how content is produced and consumed on Meta’s platforms.
Since the launch of a tool for creating AI characters in the U.S. in July, there has been substantial interest, with hundreds of thousands of AI characters reportedly created. However, as per the report, many of these characters remain private due to user discretion.
Around the topic of AI-generated content, concerns have emerged regarding potential misuse, including the spreading of misinformation and its impact on user trust. Despite this, Meta asserts that its guidelines require AI-generated content to be clearly labelled, aiming to foster transparency within the ecosystem.
In conjunction with the development of AI characters, Meta has been implementing features powered by AI that are designed to assist creators in enhancing their content. Recent introductions include AI tools for photo editing and the creation of AI assistants capable of addressing queries from users' followers. Notably, there are plans to launch text-to-video generation software next year, further expanding the capabilities available to creators on Meta’s platforms.
Earlier in August, reports indicated that Meta was also working on prototypes of AI-powered chatbots known as “personas.” These chatbots are designed to engage in humanlike conversations and include unique personalities, such as a version that mimics Abraham Lincoln and another that adopts the tone of a surfer providing travel advice. The aim underlying these personas is to create a more enjoyable interaction environment for users, while also introducing new functionalities related to search and recommendations.
In September, Meta unveiled 28 distinct AI-powered personas that boast individual personality traits and interests, allowing them to engage with users more dynamically across various social media and messaging platforms. The company remarked at the time, “We’ve been creating AIs that have more personality, opinions and interests, and are a bit more fun to interact with,” showcasing its commitment to blending AI technology with user engagement in a more lively manner.
Overall, as Meta continues to develop and integrate these AI features, the implications for content creation and user interaction on its platforms are poised to evolve significantly, reflecting broader trends in AI automation across the business landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services