You might remember Meta's AI chatbots, which allowed you to chat with alter-ego versions of celebrities. Those chatbots are no longer available. According to The Information, Meta shut down this feature, which was a significant part of their announcements at the Connect event last September. Unfortunately, you can no longer engage in conversations with these celebrity personas.
Meta's new direction with AI Studio
The decision to discontinue these chatbots came shortly after Meta launched AI Studio on Monday. This new tool enables creators in the United States to develop AI chatbots that represent themselves. In a statement, Meta hinted that they are now prioritising this more personalised approach over the previously crafted celebrity bots.
Meta spokesperson Liz Sweeney explained, “You can no longer interact with AI characters embodied by celebrities. We learned a lot from building them and Meta AI to understand how people can use AIs to connect and create uniquely. AI Studio is an evolution, creating a space for anyone, including people, creators, and celebrities, to create their AI.”
The evolution of AI chatbots
Initially, Meta's lineup of chatbots included alternate personas of famous individuals such as Charli D'Amelio (Coco, a “dance enthusiast”), Dwyane Wade (Victor, an “Ironman triathlete motivating you to be your best self”), and Paris Hilton (Amber, a “detective partner for solving whodunnits”). The company had plans to introduce more, including chatbots based on Bear Grylls, Chloe Kim, and Josh Richards. However, The Information pointed out that Meta must execute these plans fully. In some cases, Meta reportedly paid celebrities millions for using their likenesses.
Despite the discontinuation of these celebrity chatbots, Meta remains optimistic about the potential of AI chatbots. Meta has also integrated its Meta AI assistant into platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp.
The future of AI chatbots
Even though the celebrity lookalike bots didn't achieve the desired success, Meta's focus on AI technology continues. The introduction of AI Studio reflects their commitment to providing more accessible and customisable AI experiences for all users, including everyday people, content creators, and celebrities. This shift could lead to a broader and more engaging use of AI in social interactions and content creation.
The transition to AI Studio marks a new chapter for Meta as they explore innovative ways to integrate AI into their platforms. This move aligns with their vision of enhancing how people connect and create using advanced technologies.
