Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is facing controversy with the introduction of its AI chatbot program featuring celebrity identities such as Kendall Jenner, Tom Brady, and MrBeast. While these chatbots use the likeness and voice of the celebrities, they are given distinct personalities and purposes. For example, Jenner’s chatbot, named Billie, offers personal advice, while Brady’s chatbot, Bru, engages in sports-related arguments with users.
The chatbots are currently text-based, but Meta’s announcement video shows clips of the celebrities speaking as their AI counterparts. Other celebrities, including Snoop Dogg, Naomi Osaka, and Paris Hilton, have also provided their likenesses to Meta for the program.
However, the introduction of these AI chatbots has raised concerns, especially considering the ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) demanding protections against AI-generated content. While Jenner, Brady, and MrBeast are not actors or members of SAG, their participation in this program poses risks such as the loss of work or the creation of invasive deepfake content.
In addition to the chatbot program, Meta has also rolled out an AI sticker function that generates images based on search terms. However, this feature has faced criticism for empowering users to generate lewd or inappropriate content. Although Meta claims to have implemented safety measures, critics have noted that some inappropriate images are still being produced.
These concerns come at a time when similar technologies have been used to create explicit AI-generated content and deepfakes without consent. Some apps even offered users tools to create sexual deepfakes of celebrities. Meta has faced criticism for running ads related to such apps.
It remains to be seen what safety features or restrictions will be implemented for the celebrity chatbot program. Meta has not yet responded to requests for comment on this matter.
The introduction of AI chatbots with celebrity identities raises important questions regarding the rights and protection of artists, actors, and other creatives. While the novelty of interacting with a chatbot that resembles a celebrity may seem innocent, there is a risk of marginalizing and exploiting individuals in the entertainment industry.
In conclusion, Meta’s AI chatbot program featuring celebrity identities has sparked controversy as it raises concerns about the rights and protection of creatives. The involvement of celebrities such as Kendall Jenner, Tom Brady, and MrBeast has drawn attention to the potential risks and ethical implications of using AI-generated content. The introduction of the AI sticker function has also faced criticism for enabling the creation of inappropriate images. As discussions around these developments continue, it remains to be seen how Meta will address these concerns and protect the interests of artists and actors.
