Meta Platforms Unveils Celebrity Voices for AI Chatbot at Connect Conference
Meta Platforms is making waves in the AI space by announcing a new feature for its chatbot, which will now feature celebrity voices. Among the actors lending their voices are Dame Judi Dench, John Cena, Awkwafina, Kristen Bell, and Keegan-Michael Key.
The celebrity voice options will allow users to interact with Meta’s ChatGPT-like digital assistant in a more engaging way, and comes as part of Meta’s push to enhance user experience across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
In addition to the celebrity voices, the AI chatbot will allow influencers to create digital versions of themselves to engage with fans. With 500 million users already, the platform is solidifying its position in the competitive AI market. Research analyst Jeremy Goldman noted, “Meta has transformed from just a social media company into an AI powerhouse.”
The voices are expected to roll out in the U.S. and other English-speaking markets this week, offering a fun twist to conversations with the AI.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, hinted at the importance of voice interaction, stating, “I think that voice is going to be a way more natural way of interacting with AI than text.”
Alongside the voice updates, the chatbot will also gain new features like recognizing photographed objects and editing images based on user commands.
The Connect conference also featured the unveiling of Orion, a set of advanced augmented-reality glasses. Zuckerberg described them as "the most advanced glasses the world has ever seen," emphasising their capability for real-time translation and interaction through hand-tracking and voice commands.
The tech giant has invested heavily in AI and AR technologies, planning to spend up to $40 billion this year on new projects. This comes as Meta's stock has surged, reflecting growing investor confidence in the company's direction.
