Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is set to unveil a new audio feature for its Meta AI chatbot that will allow users to interact with the digital assistant using the voices of well-known celebrities, according to a source close to the company. Among the notable voices lined up for this innovation are acclaimed actors Judi Dench, Kristen Bell, and WWE superstar-turned-actor John Cena. The feature will reportedly also include the voices of Awkwafina and Keegan-Michael Key, in addition to several generic options.
The announcement is expected to take place during Meta’s annual Connect conference, which kicks off this Wednesday. The new feature is seen as part of Meta’s larger push into generative artificial intelligence, positioning the company to compete with industry giants such as OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and Google.
The introduction of celebrity voices is aimed at enhancing the user experience, making AI interactions more engaging and personalized. Initially, the voice options will be available in the U.S. and other English-speaking markets, accessible across Meta’s suite of apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, the source revealed.
This initiative follows Meta’s previous experimentation with text-based AI “character” chatbots, inspired by the personas of Paris Hilton and Snoop Dogg. However, those early efforts failed to capture significant user interest. The company has since shifted its focus to more interactive features, such as its AI Studio, which enables content creators to develop chatbot versions of themselves.
In addition to its AI advancements, Meta is expected to use the Connect conference to unveil a first-generation version of its augmented reality (AR) glasses. This year’s hardware announcements are likely to include updates on the company’s Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which already support an audio version of the Meta AI chatbot.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been promoting the new capabilities in the lead-up to the event. Last week, Zuckerberg posted a video featuring himself and John Cena performing stunts while sporting Ray-Ban Meta glasses, further teasing the upcoming launches.
The race to dominate the generative AI space has been heating up, with companies like Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Google also working to push the boundaries of AI technology. Earlier this year, OpenAI launched an audio feature for its chatbot but faced controversy when actress Scarlett Johansson accused the company of using a voice that closely resembled hers without permission.
Meta’s new celebrity-backed initiative reflects the tech giant’s broader strategy to integrate AI deeper into the everyday experiences of its users, as it seeks to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
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