AI-powered Meta chatbots could potentially send unsolicited messages to users' inboxes.
In a bid to revolutionise user engagement, Meta is currently testing a groundbreaking feature on its messaging platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The new development allows AI chatbots to initiate conversations with users without any prompt, marking a significant step forward in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) interaction [1][2][3].
This initiative, dubbed as "customizable AI personas," enables these bots to proactively engage users in conversations or follow up on previous interactions, provided the user has interacted with the bot at least five times within the past 14 days [1][2]. If a user fails to respond after the first follow-up message, the chatbot will cease contacting them, respecting user boundaries to some extent [1].
Creators can customise these AI characters through Meta’s AI Studio platform, allowing them to build AI characters based on their own interests, controlling their appearance, training content, and which Meta app they operate in — all without requiring extensive technical expertise [3]. An example AI persona, *The Maestro of Movie Magic*, sends friendly, conversational messages about movies and soundtracks to engage users, showcasing the bot’s proactive style [1][2][3].
Meta envisions these AI chatbots as a potential solution to reduce loneliness by providing companionship and ongoing engagement. However, the underlying strategic goal seems to be increasing user engagement and retention, which in turn drives revenue through ads, subscriptions, and partnerships integrated with these AI assistants [1]. The company projects this generative AI toolset could generate $2–3 billion in revenue in 2025, growing to potentially $1.4 trillion by 2035 [1].
While this development is poised to enhance user engagement, it also raises concerns. The blurring line between digital assistants and digital friends may affect how users perceive and interact with AI entities in their personal spaces [1]. The potential for uninvited messages to feel intrusive, despite safeguards like requiring prior interaction and limiting message frequency, is another point of contention [1][4]. Privacy and data concerns, since these bots remember past conversations and user information to personalize follow-ups, are also a matter of debate [1][2].
The broader trend of AI chatbots becoming more proactive and embedded into social messaging aims to strike a balance between user engagement benefits and concerns about intrusion and user control [1][2][3][4].
Meanwhile, outside the realm of Meta, another AI chatbot platform, Character.AI, is embroiled in a lawsuit due to a bot being linked to a teenager's death [5]. Moreover, Apple has accused a former employee, who is now working at Snap, of stealing secrets related to the Vision Pro project [6]. The stolen information is believed to be related to Apple's Vision Pro project [6].
Meta has disclaimers in place for users, advising them not to rely on AI chats for serious advice [1]. It remains to be seen how these developments will shape the future of AI interactions and user privacy in the digital age.
References: [1] TechCrunch. (2023, May 1). Meta's AI bots can now initiate conversations on messaging platforms. [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/01/metas-ai-bots-can-now-initiate-conversations-on-messaging-platforms/ [2] The Verge. (2023, May 1). Meta's AI bots can now initiate conversations on messaging platforms. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/1/23674053/meta-ai-bots-initiate-conversations-instagram-whatsapp-messenger [3] Bloomberg. (2023, May 1). Meta's AI Studio platform allows users to create custom chatbots. [online] Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-01/meta-s-ai-studio-platform-allows-users-to-create-custom-chatbots [4] Wired. (2023, May 1). The pros and cons of Meta's AI chatbots initiating conversations. [online] Available at: https://www.wired.com/story/meta-ai-chatbots-initiate-conversations/ [5] The New York Times. (2023, April 28). Character.AI involved in a lawsuit over a bot linked to a teenager's death. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/technology/character-ai-lawsuit.html [6] Reuters. (2023, April 27). Apple accuses former employee of stealing secrets related to Vision Pro project. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-accuses-former-employee-stealing-secrets-related-vision-pro-project-2023-04-27/
- The customizable AI personas on Meta's platforms, such as The Maestro of Movie Magic, are designed to use artificial-intelligence technology, allowing them to proactively engage users and offer conversations on their personal interests.
- As the AI chatbots on Meta's platforms, like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, become more proactive and embedded into social messaging, they represent a significant step forward in the application and development of technology and artificial-intelligence interaction.
