Dame Judi Dench and John Cena to Voice Meta's New AI Chatbot

Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has announced that acclaimed actress Dame Judi Dench and wrestling superstar John Cena will lend their voices to its new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. This initiative aims to provide users with a more engaging and personalized experience by incorporating celebrity personalities.

A Celebrity Lineup for AI Interaction

In addition to Dench and Cena, users can also interact with AI versions of notable celebrities like Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kristen Bell. This strategy reflects Meta's belief that voice interactions may be a more natural method of engaging with AI compared to traditional text inputs. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, emphasized this potential during the company's annual Connect conference, stating, "I think that voice is going to be a way more natural way of interacting with AI than text."

Learning from Past Mistakes

This move comes after a less successful attempt at celebrity chatbots in September 2023, where Meta introduced AI chatbots featuring personalities like Kendall Jenner and Snoop Dogg. The project was short-lived, as Meta pulled the plug within a year. With this new initiative, the company hopes to deliver a more successful and engaging experience for users.

New Features of Meta AI

Alongside the introduction of celebrity voices, the revamped Meta AI chatbot will include several new features:

• Image Recognition: Users can photograph items, and the AI will provide information about them.
• Photo Editing: Users will be able to request changes to their photos by describing the desired edits.

According to Meta, more than 400 million people are currently using its AI platform monthly, with 185 million returning weekly.

Advancements in Augmented Reality

During the Connect conference, Zuckerberg also unveiled Orion, Meta's first working prototype of augmented-reality (AR) glasses. He claimed that many attendees remarked on the glasses as "the craziest technology they've ever seen." The Orion glasses will allow users to interact through hand-tracking, voice commands, and a wrist-based interface.

Additionally, Meta announced a new entry-level model in its Quest line of mixed-reality headsets, with prices starting at $300 (£225). Despite facing challenges in launching commercially successful AR glasses, Meta continues to invest heavily in AI, AR, and metaverse technologies, with spending expected to reach a record $40 billion this year.

Stock Market Performance and User Concerns

Before the annual showcase, Meta's shares hit a record high of $568.31, reflecting a 60% increase in market value since the beginning of the year. However, the event was not without controversy. A misleading post circulated on Facebook and Instagram, falsely claiming users had to share it to prevent their content from being used for AI training. Celebrities like James McAvoy and Tom Brady fell for the hoax. Meta clarified that users can opt out of having their content used by submitting an objection form available through a notification or the privacy center in their account settings.