Meta is making headlines again—this time with its ambitious plans to incorporate the voices of well-known celebrities into its digital assistant, MetaAI. The tech giant is in talks with actors and influencers, including Awkwafina and Judi Dench, as part of its broader push to enhance its artificial intelligence offerings.
Negotiations With Top Talent
Meta is reportedly negotiating with several high-profile figures, including comedian Keegan-Michael Key. However, these talks are still in the early stages, and it remains uncertain which celebrities will ultimately agree to lend their voices to the project.
Meta could potentially pay millions in fees to secure these sought-after talents. While Meta has not officially commented, these discussions illustrate the company’s commitment to integrating AI into its suite of social networking apps and services.
A Race To Dominate AI
Meta’s investment in AI is already substantial, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg announcing an increase in spending on artificial intelligence and other expenses to at least $37 billion this year, up from $30 billion at the start of 2024.
Zuckerberg emphasized the importance of building rapidly to stay ahead of competitors in the AI race. The company’s focus includes developing AI characters capable of engaging users through text and voice across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
Voice-Powered Chatbots On The Rise
The push for voice-activated chatbots is gaining momentum across the tech industry. In May, OpenAI introduced a version of its ChatGPT chatbot that could handle voice commands, images, and videos.
However, the release was halted after actress Scarlett Johansson accused the company of using a voice similar to hers without permission. Meta aims to avoid such controversies by ensuring that any contracts with celebrities clearly define the terms and usage of their voices.
Upcoming Announcements
Meta is now working to finalize these deals before its Connect conference in late September, where it plans to unveil new AI-focused products. At last year’s conference, Meta introduced digital chatbots featuring the likeness of Snoop Dogg, Tom Brady, and MrBeast, although the initiative saw limited user engagement and was subsequently discontinued.
Industry Concerns
The integration of AI into the entertainment industry has sparked concern among numerous professionals. Last year, the SAG-AFTRA union, representing over 150,000 actors, secured a deal with Hollywood studios that included provisions to protect performers from unauthorized AI use. Despite this, many union members remain wary of AI’s impact on their livelihoods. Voice actors, editors, and animators share similar apprehensions about AI potentially replacing human roles.
Meta’s strategy to incorporate celebrity voices into MetaAI represents a significant step in the evolving relationship between AI and entertainment. As the company navigates these complex negotiations, the outcome will likely shape the future of AI integration in digital assistants.
Resources:
MetaAI
Meta Newsroom
UNESCO: Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
AI Now Institute
References:
New York Times: Meta in Talks to Use Voices of Judi Dench, Awkwafina and Others for A.I.
Bloomberg: Meta Is Offering Hollywood Stars Millions for AI Voice Projects
Social Media Today: Meta Explores Celebrity-Voiced AI Chatbots
