Prominent celebrities Dame Judi Dench and John Cena have been announced as new voice options for Meta’s AI chatbot.
This move marks Meta’s renewed venture into the use of celebrity endorsements for its technological advancements, following a less successful attempt with AI chatbots last year.
Meta’s New Voice Options
Meta has introduced a novel feature: the option for users to select voices of renowned celebrities, including Dame Judi Dench and John Cena, for their AI chatbot. In addition, users can also receive information from AI-generated versions of Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, or Kristen Bell.
Previous Endeavours and Future Hopes
Last year, Meta attempted to integrate celebrity ‘personalities’ such as Kendall Jenner and Snoop Dogg into their chatbots. However, the initiative was short-lived. This time, Meta hopes to achieve better results. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief executive, revealed these new developments during the annual Connect conference.
Technological Advancements
The advancements in Meta’s AI chatbot extend beyond just celebrity voices. The new features include recognition of objects in user photographs and an image-editing tool. Through these capabilities, users can obtain information about photographed items and make alterations to their photos by providing specific instructions.
Meta reported that its AI chatbot is increasingly popular, with more than 400 million people utilising it monthly. Of these, 185 million users interact with it weekly. Mr Zuckerberg also unveiled Meta’s first working prototype of augmented-reality (AR) glasses, named Orion.
Orion, which was showcased with significant enthusiasm by Zuckerberg, is designed for user interaction through hand-tracking, voice commands, and a wrist-based interface. The technology received a lot of attention, with Zuckerberg quoting users who described it as ‘the craziest technology they’ve ever seen.’
Expansions in AR Technology
Meta continues to invest heavily in augmented-reality and other advanced technologies. The company expects to invest up to $40 billion in new projects this year alone, the highest in its history. During the event, Zuckerberg also introduced a more affordable version of its Quest mixed-reality headset, the Quest 3S, priced at $300 (£225).
Despite the advancements and investments, Meta’s journey has not been without challenges. The company has faced significant hurdles, including the struggle to launch commercially successful AR glasses. However, Meta’s relentless pursuit of innovation remains evident.
Market Response and Social Media,
Ahead of the event, Meta’s shares soared to a record high of $568.31, reflecting investors’ confidence in the company’s continued growth. Since the beginning of the year, Meta’s stock market value has surged by more than 60%.
Meanwhile, a social media hoax caused a stir among users. Thousands of Facebook and Instagram users, including celebrities like James McAvoy and Tom Brady, mistakenly believed they needed to repost a message to protect their content from being used to train Meta’s AI tools. Meta clarified that users could opt out by submitting an objection form via their account settings.
User Interaction and Privacy
Meta’s new developments in AI and AR technology have raised user concerns about privacy and data use. The company has assured users that they retain control over their content and can opt out of using their data for AI training purposes.
Despite this, the spread of misinformation via social media highlights the challenges Meta faces in managing user trust and privacy in an age of rapidly advancing technology.
Conclusion
The introduction of celebrity voices like Dame Judi Dench and John Cena to Meta’s AI chatbot signifies Meta’s continuous efforts to enhance user experience through innovative technology. With ambitious investments and developments in AI and AR, Meta is poised to maintain its pioneering position in the tech industry.
Meta’s strategy to integrate celebrity voices into AI chatbots marks an exciting advancement in user interaction technology.
As the company navigates challenges and pushes forward with innovative AR and AI developments, it continues to shape the future landscape of digital experiences.
