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Meta Enlists Celebrities for AI Voices
Explore Meta’s plans for celebrity AI voices and their potential impact on Asia’s tech landscape.
TL;DR:
- Meta is negotiating with celebrities like Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, and Judi Dench to voice AI assistants.
- The new AI voices could be showcased at the Meta Connect conference in September.
- Celebrities may earn millions of dollars for their voice contributions.
The Race for Celebrity AI Voices
Imagine having your favourite celebrity as your personal AI assistant. Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, is making this a reality. The company is reportedly in talks with celebrities like Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, and Judi Dench to voice its AI offerings. These voices could be integrated into various Meta platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and even Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Meta’s Ambitious Plans
Meta is rushing to secure these deals ahead of its Meta Connect conference in September. The goal? To develop and showcase a new digital assistant product called MetaAI. According to sources, Meta is negotiating with top talent agencies in Hollywood and may pay actors millions of dollars for their voices.
Why Celebrity Voices?
They can make AI interactions more engaging and personal. Here’s why Meta might be pursuing this strategy:
- Familiarity: Celebrity voices are recognizable and can make users feel more comfortable with AI.
- Marketability: Celebrity endorsements can attract more users to Meta’s platforms.
- Novelty: While other companies like Waze have used celebrity voices, Meta’s generative AI could offer a more authentic experience.
The Power of Generative AI
Generative AI has proven to be remarkably good at mimicking human voices. For instance, OpenAI’s GPT-4 demo featured a chatbot that sounded strikingly similar to Scarlett Johansson. This technology could make celebrity AI voices feel less like a gimmick and more like a genuine interaction.
Potential Challenges
While this sounds exciting, there are potential challenges:
- Cost: Securing celebrity voices can be expensive, with actors potentially earning millions.
- Longevity: The novelty of celebrity voices could wear off quickly if the AI’s functionality doesn’t match the hype.
- Ethical Considerations: There are ethical concerns around using celebrities’ voices, as seen in the Scarlett Johansson example.
The Future of AI in Asia
Asia is at the forefront of AI and AGI developments. Meta’s celebrity AI voices could have a significant impact in this region. Here’s how:
- Adoption: Asia’s tech-savvy population may quickly adopt and adapt to celebrity AI voices.
- Innovation: Asian tech companies could follow Meta’s lead, sparking a new trend in AI development.
- Cultural Influence: Celebrity AI voices could influence popular culture and how people interact with technology.
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- To learn more about Meta’s talks with celebrities, tap here.
