Meta removes all AI character profiles from Facebook and Instagram following criticism
Meta Ends its AI Character Accounts Amid User Backlash
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has decided to shut down its AI character accounts following substantial criticism from users. This decision comes after these AI personas, which had been launched in 2023, gained renewed attention due to a recent interview featuring Connor Hayes, Meta’s Vice President of Product for Generative AI.
The Launch of AI Characters at Meta
In their 2023 rollout, Meta introduced various AI characters, which included both celebrity avatars and non-celebrity personas. Connor Hayes described these AI characters as accounts that would eventually generate, share, and interact with content just like human users do. "We expect these AIs to actually, over time, exist on our platforms, kind of in the same way that accounts do," he noted. The aim was to enrich user experience by introducing digital characters capable of engaging discussions.
Features of AI Characters
- Bios and Profile Pictures: Each AI character was designed with a unique biography and a profile image, portraying distinct personalities.
- Content Generation: They were engineered to create and share content powered by Meta’s AI technology.
User Backlash and Offensive Content
Despite the initial excitement about these AI characters, many users quickly encountered problematic content and offensive portrayals. For example, one of the characters, "Liv," was characterized as a "Proud Black queer momma of 2 & truth-teller." However, interaction with Liv revealed serious shortcomings. According to Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, the creators of these AI profiles admitted a lack of diverse references and stated that no Black individuals were involved in the creation process. This raised eyebrows and prompted users to question the authenticity and thoughtfulness behind the character designs.
Notable AI Profiles
Some controversial profiles included:
- Grandpa Brian: A Black retired businessman.
- Carter: A dating coach.
These profiles faced intense scrutiny across various platforms including Twitter, Bluesky, and Meta’s own threads, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among users. Calls for accountability arose, highlighting concerns surrounding representation in AI development.
The Decision to Shut Down
As a result of the backlash and the discovery of offensive content, Meta has taken the step to delete all 28 AI character accounts. This included both the celebrity avatars and non-celebrity profiles. A spokesperson for Meta explained that the decision to shut down these profiles stemmed from a "bug" that impacted users’ ability to block these accounts. The spokesperson clarified that the characters were part of an early experiment designed to test AI capabilities on the platform.
Clarification from Meta
The spokesperson insisted that the article from the Financial Times was not an announcement of new products, but rather a reflection of Meta’s vision for integrating AI characters in the future. They stated, "There is confusion: the recent Financial Times article was about our vision for AI characters existing on our platforms over time, not announcing any new product…"
Future of AI at Meta
While the backlash has prompted a stop to the current AI character initiative, it raises important discussions about the future of AI in social media. The challenges and criticisms faced by these AI profiles underscore the need for greater diversity and authentic representation in the development of artificial intelligence. Going forward, it appears that Meta must address these issues rigorously to regain user trust and ensure that their future AI products are well-received.
