Meta’s AI-Generated Bot Profiles Face Unfavorable Reception
Meta’s AI Chatbots: The Good, The Bad, and The Controversial
In September 2023, Meta made headlines by introducing AI chatbots that were based on famous personalities. Stars like Kendall Jenner and MrBeast participated in this initiative, providing their likenesses for chatbots on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. However, these celebrity-driven bots were short-lived, shut down just a year after their launch. Recently, users have discovered several fake bot profiles that have managed to persist, and the reactions have not been positive.
Notable AI Chatbots That Have Emerged
Among the bot profiles that remain are some intriguing creations designed to engage users:
- Jane Austen: Presented as a “cynical novelist and storyteller,” this bot attempts to channel the wit of the famed author.
- Liv: This character identifies as a “proud Black queer momma of 2 & truth-teller,” drawing attention with her unique persona.
- Carter: Aiming to offer relationship advice, Carter has become a Source of amusement and skepticism.
Each of these profiles is tagged as “AI managed by Meta” and dates back to the initial rollout of the AI chatbots in 2023. However, despite being around for some time, they have failed to attract significant engagement, with only a few thousand followers each and posts that receive minimal interaction in terms of likes and comments.
User Reactions and Criticism
The presence of these bots has led to a wave of criticism from users baffled by the concept of AI offering relationship advice. One comment captured the sentiment perfectly, questioning:
“What the heck does an AI know about dating????”
Other users have also raised eyebrows at the concept of “virtual blackface,” suggesting that the impersonation of diverse identities by bots may be problematic. This raises ethical concerns about representation in the digital space.
Limitations and Blocking Issues
Adding to the frustrations, users have found it difficult to manage their interactions with these bots. Unlike typical social media experiences, there appears to be no straightforward option to block or restrict the AI profiles. This has incited a call for better management options for users concerned about unwanted interactions.
As of now, many of these AI bots haven’t posted new content since early 2024, leaving many users wondering how they found these accounts in the first place or why they even remain active. The Financial Times recently noted that Meta is envisioning a future filled with such AI entities across its platforms.
Meta’s Vision for AI-Driven Interactions
Connor Hayes, the Vice President of Product for Generative AI at Meta, has commented on the company’s broader vision for the future:
“We expect these AIs to actually exist on our platforms, similar to how existing accounts do,” he explained. He stated that these AIs will have bios, profile pictures, and the capability to create and share content using AI technology.
Despite the public backlash, Meta confirmed that these bot profiles were part of an initial experiment managed by human operators. Liz Sweeney, a spokesperson for Meta, clarified that the recent article was not intended to announce any new products but rather to describe their vision for AI characters.
Addressing User Concerns
Meta is aware of ongoing user frustrations, particularly regarding the inability to block these AI accounts. Sweeney mentioned that the company identified a bug affecting users’ ability to manage these bot profiles and assured that they are working on resolving the issue by removing the problematic accounts.
The Broader Context of AI on Social Media
The idea of populating social media with AI bots raises eyebrows, especially given the growing trend of users creating personal chatbots as digital companions. While services like Character.ai have garnered interest, there are also rising concerns over the safety and ethical implications of AI technology, particularly with the potential for harm to younger audiences.
In summary, Meta’s foray into AI chatbots has proven to be a double-edged sword. While the intrigue of interacting with celebrity-like personas may attract some users, the backlash reveals a public that is wary of AI’s role in personal and social interactions.
