Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has recently announced the development of a series of new chatbots for its Messenger service. These chatbots are intended to have a distinct “personality” and expertise in specific subjects such as cooking advice or holiday recommendations. This move by Meta is part of a broader competition among tech companies to create more accurate and personalized artificial intelligence.
During Meta’s in-person event in California, the company’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg highlighted the advancements made in artificial intelligence over the past year. The main chatbot developed by Meta, called “Meta AI,” can be utilized in messaging for various purposes, including settling arguments or answering questions. However, Zuckerberg acknowledged that there are still limitations to what these chatbots can do.
To enhance the entertainment value of the chatbots, Meta has partnered with several celebrities to lend their personalities. For example, NFL star Tom Brady will play an AI character known as ‘Bru,’ described as a wisecracking sports debater, while YouTube star MrBeast will portray ‘Zach,’ a big brother figure who enjoys playful teasing. The goal is to create chatbots that go beyond simply answering queries and provide an entertaining experience for users.
It is important to note that the chatbots are still a work in progress and will initially be available only in the United States. The chatbot relies on Llama 2, Meta’s large language model released for public commercial use earlier this year.
During the event, Zuckerberg also discussed Meta’s investment in the metaverse, a virtual world concept that he has been focusing on extensively. He unveiled details about the company’s new virtual reality headset, Quest 3, which he described as the first “mainstream” mixed reality headset. The Quest 3 will incorporate forward-facing cameras to enable augmented reality features and will be released on October 10th.
While Meta’s VR division has suffered significant losses in recent years, Zuckerberg’s emphasis on hardware priced for the mass market, like the Quest 3, aims to reinvigorate the VR sector. This approach contrasts with Apple’s strategy, which targets high-end tech enthusiasts with its Vision Pro mixed reality headset.
Meta’s announcement regarding its chatbots coincided with OpenAI’s announcement that its chatbot can now browse the internet for up-to-date information. OpenAI’s AI-powered system, ChatGPT, was previously trained using data up until September 2021.
Overall, Meta’s introduction of new chatbots and advancements in virtual reality technology further demonstrates the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence and immersive experiences. As these technologies continue to evolve, we can expect more innovative applications and possibilities in the coming years.