Meta’s game-changing move: AI-powered chatbots with distinct personalities will be introduced

New Delhi: Meta Platforms, the renowned social media giant based in Menlo Park, California, is making waves in the tech world with its upcoming innovation: AI-powered chatbots boasting distinct personalities.

According to a report by the Financial Times on Tuesday, Meta has been diligently working on prototypes of these chatbots, which promise to engage users in human-like conversations. The goal behind this endeavor is to elevate user engagement across Meta’s social media platforms. Insiders familiar with the company’s plans have disclosed that Meta aims to bring these intriguing AI chatbots to life as early as September.

One of the most captivating aspects of this project is the wide range of personalities that these chatbots will adopt. For example, Meta is exploring a chatbot inspired by the iconic Abraham Lincoln, offering historical insights and wisdom in the President’s distinct style. Additionally, there’s another chatbot designed with the persona of a laid-back surfer, providing travel advice with a cool and relaxed demeanor.

The introduction of these AI chatbots serves two primary functions. Firstly, they will be integrated as a novel search feature, potentially revolutionizing the way users navigate and discover content within Meta’s platforms. Secondly, the chatbots will offer personalized recommendations, tailoring content to suit individual users’ preferences and interests.

The timing of these chatbots’ emergence is crucial for Meta as it aims to enhance retention rates for its newly launched text-based app, Threads. The app faced a significant setback when it experienced a loss of over half of its user base in the weeks following its release on July 5.

Despite this challenge, Meta’s financial performance remains promising. In its recent earnings report, the company announced a substantial increase in advertising revenue and projected third-quarter revenue that exceeded market expectations.

This optimistic momentum comes after a challenging period for Meta in 2022. Nevertheless, the company demonstrated resilience, benefiting from the growing interest in AI technology and implementing cost-cutting measures, resulting in a reduction of approximately 21,000 employees since the previous autumn.

As part of its commitment to advancing AI technology, Meta unveiled Llama 2 in July, a new version of its open-source AI model. The commercial version will be available through Microsoft’s Azure cloud service and will run on the Windows operating system, expanding the accessibility and availability of AI capabilities.

With the imminent arrival of AI-powered chatbots boasting unique personalities, Meta Platforms aim to captivate users and reshape the dynamics of social media interaction. As the September release approaches, the tech world eagerly anticipates the transformative potential of this innovative endeavor.