AI ‘personas’ from Meta may launch on Facebook and Instagram next month.
AI 'personas' from Meta may launch on Facebook and Instagram next month.
Meta’s “AI Personas”: Enhancing User Experience and Boosting Engagement
Meta’s “AI personas” might launch as soon as next month, according to company insiders.
In a recent report by the Financial Times, it has been revealed that Meta, the parent company of platforms like Facebook and Instagram, is gearing up to launch an exciting new feature known as “AI personas.” This feature, which will be integrated across Meta’s platforms, aims to provide users with the ability to chat with various AI personalities for search and recommendations. Imagine having a chatbot “in the style of a surfer” to give you travel tips or an AI persona fashioned after Abraham Lincoln for a historical perspective on various topics.
This move comes as part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience and boost engagement on its platforms. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, first hinted at the development of “AI personas” in a Facebook post back in February. Although he didn’t provide explicit details, Zuckerberg mentioned that a dedicated team was working on creating text-based experiences within Messenger and WhatsApp, as well as image-based experiences within Instagram. These AI personas are expected to “help people in a variety of ways.”
While the concept of AI chatbots is not new, Meta aims to make its implementation unique and enjoyable. By integrating AI personas seamlessly into platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, Meta can leverage content from various sources, including Instagram Reels and other social media posts. This offers users a holistic and tailored experience, making the possibilities seemingly endless.
The introduction of AI personas could also spark a revolution in generative AI, putting Meta in fierce competition with tech giants like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. Meta’s generative AI model, powered by its large language model Llama 2, is an open-source alternative to closed-source LLMs like OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Google’s PaLM 2. With this powerful tool, Meta can flex its AI muscles and showcase its capabilities in the race for generative AI dominance.
One cannot overlook the potential benefits for Meta’s advertising efforts as well. Chatting with AI personas could provide Meta with more personal data from users, offering valuable insights to inform targeted advertising on its platforms. As the Financial Times points out, this feature has the potential to not only enhance user experience but also serve as a strategic advantage in the social media landscape, where TikTok currently reigns supreme, particularly amongst younger generations.
The launch of Meta’s Twitter-competitor Threads, which garnered over 100 million signups within a week of its release, is a testament to the company’s recent successes in capturing users’ attention. However, it is important to note that active users sharply declined soon after. Nevertheless, Meta’s track record, coupled with the exciting potential of AI personas, suggests that the integration of this feature could be another milestone for the company.
As of now, Meta has chosen to remain tight-lipped about the specifics of the AI personas feature and its release timeline. However, insiders suggest that we may see it as early as next month. Once launched, users will have the opportunity to engage in vivid conversations and receive recommendations from AI personas that cater to their interests and preferences. Get ready to meet your virtual surfer friend or have a conversation with a digital Abraham Lincoln, because Meta’s AI personas are coming soon!
