Meta introduces celebrity voices to its AI chatbot

This marks a shift towards a more dynamic and personalised experience on Meta's platforms, which include Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

During Meta's annual Connect conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg highlighted the potential of voice interaction with AI, describing it as a more intuitive way for people to communicate with technology.

“I think that voice is going to be a way more natural way of interacting with AI than text," said Zuckerberg.

Judi Dench at the BAFTAs at the Royal Opera House in London (Source: Wikipedia)

The voice options will also include Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kristen Bell, offering users a range of familiar voices to answer queries and engage in conversations. This move is part of Meta’s broader effort to enhance user interaction with its AI systems.

John Cena during an interview for Mortal Kombat in March 2024 (Source: Wikipedia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwQkSWTASPc)

Beyond voice interaction, Meta’s AI chatbot is evolving in other ways. One key feature enables it to recognise and provide information on objects that users photograph. This could range from identifying everyday items to providing details on landmarks and products. Additionally, Meta is introducing an image editing tool that allows users to make changes to photos simply by instructing the AI on what to modify, bringing a new level of convenience to photo customisation.

Meta’s chatbot is already seeing widespread use, with more than 400 million monthly users and 185 million of them engaging with the tool on a weekly basis, according to the company.

The celebrity voices and other AI enhancements will be rolling out this week, initially targeting English-speaking markets, including the US.

Alongside these AI updates, Meta showcased significant developments in its augmented-reality (AR) and mixed-reality (MR) hardware. Zuckerberg introduced the Orion AR glasses, a cutting-edge piece of technology that allows users to interact with the world using hand tracking, voice commands, and a wrist-based interface.

“A lot of people have said this is the craziest technology they’ve ever seen,” Zuckerberg said during the demonstration of the Orion prototype.

The company also revealed a new entry-level model in its Quest line of mixed-reality headsets. The Quest 3S will start at $300 (£225), providing a more affordable option for those interested in exploring virtual and mixed-reality experiences.

Meta has made a significant financial commitment to its AI, AR, and VR endeavours, expecting to invest up to $40bn in these projects this year, marking a record-high for the company.