Meta’s AI Can Now Speak Like Celebrities and Edit Your Photos

Meta has taken a significant step in advancing AI interactions by integrating celebrity voices into its chatbot features across Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook. During the Meta Connect event, the company announced that users can now converse with Meta AI and hear responses in voices modeled after celebrities like Awkwafina, John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, Kristen Bell, and the legendary Dame Judi Dench. This innovative feature is currently available only to users in the United States, but it marks a new chapter in conversational AI.

Celebrities in Your Chat

Meta's partnership with these high-profile celebrities isn’t just for fun. The voices are part of Meta AI's ongoing effort to provide users with a more engaging and personal experience. In addition to celebrity voices, the platform also offers non-celebrity options with names like “Aspen,” “Atlas,” and “Clover” for those who prefer a more subdued interaction.

This move follows a growing trend in the tech world, with other AI giants like Google and OpenAI introducing conversational AI experiences. However, Meta has upped the game by securing celebrity partnerships, reportedly paying each celebrity millions of dollars. According to The Wall Street Journal, the agreements also involve careful negotiations about how the voices are used and limitations on what they can say.

Image-Editing Capabilities

Meta’s AI isn’t stopping at just voice features. In a major update, users can now ask the AI to edit images directly. By uploading a photo, users can request changes like altering outfits or even replacing the background with a different scene, such as a rainbow or a scenic view.

For example, if you upload an image of yourself in a black shirt, you can ask Meta AI to change the color of the shirt to red, and the AI will carry out the task instantly. In a hands-on demo, Meta AI managed to successfully change a T-shirt’s color, though there were minor issues with text and logos on the shirt. The AI can also answer questions related to the image, such as giving you a recipe for a cake if you upload a picture of one.

More Than Just Fun

This expansion of Meta AI's capabilities signals a future where artificial intelligence plays an even bigger role in day-to-day social media interactions. The ability to converse with AI in familiar voices could make the chatbot experience more engaging and accessible. And the new image-editing features bring a layer of creativity and functionality that users can utilize directly from their social media platforms.

However, while these updates seem fun and harmless, they also raise important questions about privacy and control. Meta has confirmed that it will only use your photos if you have opted into the "Imagine Yourself" feature and accepted its terms. As AI continues to integrate deeper into everyday digital interactions, companies like Meta will need to ensure strong guardrails to protect user privacy and data.

A Growing Trend

Meta’s foray into AI-powered content creation mirrors moves by other major tech companies like Google and OpenAI, but Meta’s unique approach of using celebrity voices and real-time image edits sets it apart. With AI becoming more prominent in social media, it remains to be seen how users will adapt to these changes and how they will influence the future of digital interaction.

For now, Meta’s new features present an exciting glimpse into the possibilities of AI-driven creativity and conversation. And with celebrities like Dame Judi Dench lending their voices, the experience might feel a bit more magical.