Meta has unveiled an exciting new initiative at its recent Connect conference, introducing well-known celebrity voices for its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. Notable figures such as Dame Judi Dench and John Cena are set to lend their voices, adding a touch of star power to the AI experience.
Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, made the announcement, expressing enthusiasm about the use of voice for AI interactions. He stated, “I think voice is going to be a way more natural way of interacting with AI than text.” This move aims to create more engaging and personable AI interactions.
Alongside Dench and Cena, users can also look forward to hearing AI versions of celebrities like Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kristen Bell, who is recognized for her roles in various beloved films and television series.
Despite the excitement surrounding the announcement, Meta faces the challenge of improving on its previous attempt at integrating celebrity voices, which fell flat. Back in September 2023, the company launched AI chatbots modeled after celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Snoop Dogg. Unfortunately, this initiative was discontinued within just one year.
But Meta is not stopping there. The revamped AI chatbot will now have enhanced capabilities. Along with its new celebrity voice options, users will be able to tap the AI’s abilities to identify objects within their photos and provide detailed information about them. For those interested in image editing, they can simply instruct the AI on the desired changes.
Currently, Meta boasts impressive numbers, reporting over 400 million monthly users engaged with its AI technologies, with 185 million of those returning each week.
During the same event, Zuckerberg also showcased new products, including the prototype of augmented reality (AR) glasses named Orion. These glasses can be controlled using hand-tracking, voice commands, and even via wrist-based interfaces, hinting at groundbreaking developments on the horizon.
Alongside the AR glasses, Meta introduced its latest Quest 3S mixed-reality headset, which will enter the market at $300 (approximately Sh45,000), demonstrating the company’s commitment to advancing virtual and augmented reality technologies.
It’s clear Meta is pouring substantial resources—an estimated $40 billion—into AI, AR, and related technologies this year, indicating the company’s bullish stance on the future of the metaverse.
While celebrating these achievements, Meta had to combat disinformation circulating on its platforms. A false viral post claimed users needed to repost to prevent the company from utilizing their content for AI training. Even some celebrities, like James McAvoy and Tom Brady, inadvertently shared this hoax. Responding to the confusion, Meta clarified users have the option to opt out through their privacy settings.
With the recent surge, Meta’s stock value has seen successful strides, having increased by over 60% since the start of the year, reaching record highs of $568.31, marking significant optimism among investors.
What’s particularly interesting is the response to Kristen Bell’s inclusion as one of the celebrity voices. Just this past June, she publicly raised concerns about the use of AI, along with fellow stars such as Jessica Chastain, sharing their pleas against the exploitation of personal data for training AI models. Their statement prompted calls to halt programs involving AI generated from such data.
Yet here she stands—not only participating but enhancing the AI experience for users on platforms such as Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This change highlights the shifting priorities within the entertainment industry as actors balance ethical posturing with lucrative opportunities.
Meta’s CEO acknowledged the integration of celebrity voices will likely increase engagement among users significantly. The celebrity voices provide added appeal to the service, alluding to the financial motivation behind these collaborations.
The ethical discussions surrounding AI use aren't going away anytime soon, especially with the rising integration of celebrity likenesses. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has been vigilant, advocating for the rights of actors concerning the potential exploitation of their likeness and voices without proper compensation or consent.
Bell’s notable involvement reflects wider trends where famed personalities are weighing incentives against moral misgivings. Interestingly, she and others have been rumored to receive significant financial compensation, leading to discussions on the future of using AI within creative industries.
The new features coming with Meta AI are remarkable. Users can now pose questions about images, and the AI will formulate interpretations and assist in editing them. For example, one could tell the AI to change clothes on someone’s image or make other alterations, showcasing the AI's versatility.
On top of this innovation, Meta is piloting new translation tools aimed at instantly translating video content. This feature will open up access to digital content for diverse audiences, breaking down language barriers.
It’s worth noting, though, as Meta embraces these advancements, ethical concerns continue to shadow the high-paced tech evolution. The use of famous voices can provoke discomfort—often cited as the “uncanny valley” phenomenon, where AI struggles to not feel lifeless or robotic, leading to potential confusion among users about the nature of their interactions. Meta's attempts to clarify to users when they are speaking with AI rather than real celebrities are just one effort to address these challenges.
Reflecting on these developments, the case of Kristen Bell serves as both intriguing and complex. Her shift from publicly opposing AI exploitation to becoming one of its faces demonstrates the multifaceted relationship between technology and personal ethics.
While these advancements might showcase the exciting potential of celebrity integration and AI interaction, they force society to confront the broader questions about privacy, consent, and the future of how humans relate to technology. Meta’s bold steps forward bring forth numerous possibilities but also invoke the underlying dialogues about AI’s presence within our digital lives.
