During a recent Meta Connect event, CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled new voice features for Meta’s AI chatbots to which the company is adding celebrity voices, enhancing user interaction across popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The updates, which are set to roll out this week, aim to provide a more engaging and enjoyable user experience by incorporating familiar celebrity voices and advanced AI-powered tools for tasks such as dubbing and photo editing.
Zuckerberg highlighted Meta’s intent to make digital interactions more fun and lively. “We want to make this fun, all right? So in addition to the different system voices that we built in that I think are pretty good, we’ve also worked with some of the most iconic voices out there to bring them to Meta AI,” Zuckerberg said.
Live demo in the voice of Awkwafina
A live demo was conducted using the voice of celebrity Awkwafina, highlighting the potential of these enhancements to attract and retain user engagement. However, during the event, Zuckerberg also candidly addressed the potential pitfalls of live demonstrations.
When questioned about the reliability of such presentations, the AI, utilizing Awkwafina’s voice, responded, “Live demos can be risky, yes.” They might face technical issues or become embarrassing, but they are also captivating.
Despite acknowledging these risks, Zuckerberg expressed his determination to proceed, encouraged by the AI’s audacious spirit, saying, “Go for it. Just be prepared for anything to happen. Fingers crossed.”
Controversy around consent and compensation
Recently, OpenAI faced criticism for its voice feature, which closely mimicked the voice of Scarlett Johansson, famously known for her role as an AI in the movie Her. The resemblance sparked a debate around ethical considerations in AI voice replication.
Johansson later confirmed that Sam Altman, OpenAI’s chief, had approached her about using her voice, which added more layers to the ongoing discourse on consent and compensation in digital voice usage.
In contrast, Meta is adopting a more transparent approach. The company is not only seeking permission from celebrities but also compensating them for the use of their voices.
Other innovative products at Meta Connect
In addition to the voice features, the Meta Connect event was a platform for Zuckerberg to introduce other innovative products. Among the highlights was “Orion,” a prototype pair of smart glasses, and a more economical version of Meta’s Quest VR headset.
These introductions align with Meta’s strategy to expand its virtual and augmented reality technological footprint. New AI capabilities, such as photo editing enhancements and automated language dubbing for videos, were also showcased, demonstrating Meta’s dedication to refining the user experience through advanced technology.
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