Meta is betting big on generative AI, the technology that can create new content from existing data. The social media giant is working on several new features that use generative AI for its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
One of these features is a new AI chat option for Instagram, which would let users ask questions and get advice from an AI bot within their direct messages. The feature, which was spotted by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi, looks similar to Snapchat’s My AI tool, which also lets users chat with an AI persona.
The AI chat option could appeal to users who want to have more conversations on Instagram, as the platform has seen a decline in Stories and feed posts. It could also introduce users to generative AI, which Meta hopes will become a key part of its future products.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently said that the company is focusing on building creative and expressive tools with generative AI, as well as developing AI personas that can help people in various ways. He said that the company is exploring experiences with text, images, video and multi-modal formats.
However, not everyone is convinced that generative AI is a game-changer for social media. Some critics argue that the current applications of generative AI are not very useful or innovative, and that they are just adding gimmicks to the user interface. They also question whether users would be interested in chatting with an AI bot that sounds like a celebrity or a fictional character.
Meta is not the only company that is experimenting with generative AI. Other platforms, such as TikTok and YouTube, are also using generative AI to create new content and enhance user engagement. Some experts believe that generative AI could lead to more revolutionary uses, such as creating virtual reality worlds. But for now, generative AI is still in its early stages, and each platform has to start somewhere in developing their AI capabilities.