Meta To Launch AI Chatbots Featuring Celebrity Voices At Connect Conference: Report

Meta is set to unveil AI chatbots featuring the voices of celebrities like John Cena and Judi Dench. The tech giant plans to introduce these new AI chatbots at the Connect conference this week, as reported by Reuters.

Celebrity Voices in AI

The company is collaborating with well-known figures such as Kristen Bell, Awkwafina, and Keegan-Michael Key for this launch. This initiative seems to be a lesson learned from OpenAI's previous controversy involving Sam Altman.

In May, OpenAI faced backlash over its chatbot Sky, which had a voice resembling Scarlett Johansson's. Johansson had declined participation and took legal action after the release.

OpenAI eventually removed the voice option following the dispute with Johansson. Meta appears keen to avoid similar pitfalls by securing agreements with celebrities beforehand. Mark Zuckerberg hinted at these partnerships on Instagram, showcasing Cena in a "stunt test" using Ray-Ban smart glasses, which will also feature at the Connect event.

Meta is reportedly investing millions in rights to use these stars' voices in AI projects. The introduction of celebrity-voiced chatbots could mark an exciting evolution in AI technology, blending entertainment with functionality. As Meta continues to innovate, it remains crucial for them to navigate potential legal and ethical challenges carefully.

While the initial launch will cater to English-speaking markets, including the US, there's potential for the feature to embrace additional languages in future updates. The current development phase focuses on English, with the celebrity voices set to debut across Meta's suite of apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.