Meta has introduced a new tool called AI Studio that allows users in the US to create artificial intelligence (AI)-powered versions of Instagram and the web. The innovation aims to change the way content creators and business owners interact with their followers.
Meta’s tool allows users to create AI-powered profiles to communicate more effectively and efficiently with their followers. AI profiles can engage in conversations and respond to comments on behalf of their owners. Instagram users in the US can access AI Studio via Meta’s website or by starting a new “AI chat” directly on Instagram.
In its blog post announcing this innovation, Meta notes that content creators will be able to customize their AI based on their Instagram content, topics they want to avoid, and links they want to share. In addition, users can set which accounts their AI profiles can interact with and auto-reply features.
AI Studio not only creates AI versions of existing profiles, but also allows for the creation of entirely new AI characters. Meta plans to compete with companies like Character.AI and Replika in this space. Users will be able to interact with these new AI characters through Meta’s apps. And, like OpenAI’s dedicated GPT store, Meta will offer user-created AI characters for others to try out.
Meta first tried this concept by creating AI versions of celebrities. Instead of their real names, the celebrities created AI profiles with different names and personalities. Meta chose this approach because of the possibility of the AI versions of the celebrities saying problematic things to their names. Even with the controls that AI Studio includes, it seems inevitable that this type of situation will happen because it seems to be a problem with the AI being produced.
Meta acknowledges that this new technology is in a sensitive area. The company says that AI profiles are clearly labeled wherever they appear. Meta, which has published a guide that goes into more detail about the AI creation process, emphasizes that content creators should specify what their AI will not answer. For example, the AI could be told not to answer a question like “Should I invest in crypto?”
Meta’s AI Studio aims to help creators and businesses create deeper, more personalized connections with their followers, but it’s clear that caution and ethical considerations must be taken when using this technology.