Meta to Unveil AI-Powered Chatbot 'Personas' Next Month

Meta to Unveil AI-Powered Chatbot 'Personas' Next Month

Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, is set to launch a series of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots dubbed 'personas' in September, according to an article published in the Financial Times. The tech giant plans to boost user engagement on its social media platforms with chatbots to collect vital user data. 

Meta Plans to Challenge Rivals With ‘AI Chatbots’

According to insiders familiar with Meta's plans, the Facebook and Instagram owner is set to release a series of AI-driven chatbots designed to exhibit unique personalities and provide a personalized experience for the platform's massive 4 billion user base, reports the Financial Times. 

The chatbots have been named 'personas' and will be created to take on various characters, enabling users to interact with them as if conversing with real individuals. From an AI replica of Abraham Lincoln to a laid-back surfer offering travel advice, these chatbots are designed to cater to diverse interests and preferences. 

The company aims to unleash this innovative feature as early as September, enhancing the user experience while challenging competitors on social media platforms, including Tiktok. Meta is also targeting to seize the hype around AI, ever since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in November 2022.

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, said during an earnings call last Wednesday that he sees these AI "agents serving as assistants, coaches, or facilitators for users interacting with businesses and content creators." He firmly believes that leveraging the power of AI can revolutionize customer service, improve staff productivity, and offer users more personalized content recommendations. He stated:

"We don’t think that there’s going to be one single AI that people interact with."

Meta's pursuit of AI chatbots aligns with the industry trend ignited by OpenAI's Chatgpt in 2022, but Zuckerberg emphasizes that there won't be a one-size-fits-all AI. Instead, the focus is on developing a diverse range of chatbots tailored to users' specific needs and interests.

Meta's Collection of User Data Raises Privacy Concerns 

Beyond enhancing user engagement, Meta's chatbots also present an opportunity to gather valuable user data. With a significant portion of its USD 117 billion revenue coming from advertising, Meta could leverage this data to deliver more relevant content and targeted advertisements to its users. However, this raises privacy concerns, as the collection and use of user data have become increasingly contentious in the digital age.

Meta's ambitions stretch even further as they explore the development of avatar chatbots that can engage users in innovative interactions. While Meta seeks to capitalize on the potential of AI technology, other players in the industry have already entered the chatbot arena, offering personality-driven conversations in the styles of Elon Musk and popular gaming characters like Nintendo's Mario.

As Meta prepares to launch its AI-powered 'personas,' the public awaits the impact on user experience, data privacy, and the potential to shape the future of social media interaction. 

What is your take on Meta using its chatbots to collect user data? Please share your thoughts and opinions on the subject in the comments section below.