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Meta’s New AI Assistant to Feature Celebrity Voices
In an intriguing move, Meta is set to enhance its AI assistant by incorporating the synthetic voices of several well-known celebrities, including John Cena, Kristen Bell, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, and Judi Dench. According to a report from Reuters, users will soon be able to engage in conversations with these famous voices, adding a layer of novelty to the AI experience. Meta is anticipated to officially unveil this development along with possible additional celebrity voices soon.
While the idea of using celebrity voices for an AI chatbot might be perceived as a gimmick, it represents a strategic choice for Meta as generative AI technologies proliferate. With the competitive landscape increasingly dominated by players like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, such unique features could be key to drawing consumer attention.
The agreement between Meta and the celebrities means that their voices will serve as options for the AI assistant, supplementing standard voice choices. The selection of these celebrities is particularly noteworthy, as they are all highly recognized figures known for family-friendly roles as well as appearances in more adult-oriented films and shows, thus appealing to a diverse audience.
While it’s still uncertain whether there will be additional costs associated with accessing these voices, the celebrities reportedly stand to earn substantial payments for their participation in the project. This approach may help Meta sidestep the backlash experienced by OpenAI when its ChatGPT synthetic voice was compared to Scarlett Johansson’s character in the film Her.
This is a significant consideration, especially in light of last year’s actors’ and writers’ strikes, largely fueled by fears of AI encroachment on traditional roles. Rumors suggest that SAG-AFTRA may have reached an agreement with Meta regarding the utilization of actors’ voices, but no official confirmation has been made regarding its connection to this initiative.
Famous or Folly?
Even with the potential allure of celebrity voices, Meta won’t have the luxury of complacency. Google is also eyeing the rollout of AI chatbots emulating famous personalities and fictional characters on its YouTube platform. Additionally, Meta’s intention to allow users to create custom AI chatbots resembling themselves is a concept already pursued by various competitors, including Character.ai.
Meta’s keen interest in celebrity collaboration aligns with its broader ambitions, though the company faced challenges with its previous endeavors. Earlier this year, Meta introduced Celebrity AI chatbots for its Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp platforms, but reports indicate that these chatbots now lack the celebrity branding that initially accompanied them.
Amazon has also explored the appeal of celebrity voices, integrating figures like Samuel L. Jackson and Melissa McCarthy into its Alexa assistant before ultimately discontinuing them. This trajectory raises questions about the long-term viability of such features in the competitive AI landscape.
As the Connect conference approaches, Meta aims to unveil a plethora of AI advancements, with the celebrity voice initiative serving as a potential highlight, fueled by likely enthusiastic promotions from the celebrities themselves.
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