Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has announced the upcoming launch of a new AI assistant for users of these platforms. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the assistant, known as Meta AI, during the annual Connect conference. This new assistant aims to bring the convenience of ChatGPT-like technology to social media users.
Meta AI is designed to interact with users in a way that mimics human conversation. The company has already trained various chatbot personalities with tailored algorithms to cater to the different needs of users. These chatbots, such as Victor the motivational coach, the Dungeon Master for text-based adventures, and sous chef Max for recipe suggestions, provide more personality, opinions, and interests to make interactions more enjoyable.
Meta has plans to create more chatbots in the coming weeks, focusing on expert insights in areas like gaming, philosophy, sports, and fashion. These chatbots will have profiles on Instagram and Facebook, allowing users to engage with them on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. In the future, Meta envisions these chatbots to be embodied as avatars in the metaverse.
The new chatbots utilize a custom model of Llama 2 technology, developed in partnership with Microsoft and Bing to provide real-time information. Currently, the chatbot rollout is in the Beta testing phase in the US, and it remains uncertain when they will be available to Australian users.
Apart from the AI assistant, Meta also announced other offerings at the conference, including smart glasses, a mixed-reality headset, and in-app AI photo editing and generation. The Meta AI assistant will be integrated into the smart glasses as well, starting with a beta rollout in the US. A future software update will enable the assistant to identify places and objects, as well as perform language translation.
To support the expansion of AI capabilities, Meta introduced Project AI Studio. This project will allow users to create personalized AI chatbots, even without coding knowledge, using Meta’s upcoming sandbox environment. Additionally, it will enable third-party developers to build AI bots for Meta’s messaging services, empowering businesses to interact with customers and assist with commerce and support.
Meta recognizes the challenges that come with these advancements and promises to fine-tune models based on safety and responsibility guidelines. The company aims to maintain transparency by sharing system cards and collaborating with policymakers, academics, and industry experts. Meta has already invested significant time stress-testing these models to anticipate any potential misuse and ensure responsible implementation.
Ultimately, Meta’s AI innovations aim to redefine the social media landscape and enhance user experiences in interactive and engaging ways. By combining AI technology with existing platforms, Meta aims to create a more immersive digital environment for users worldwide.
