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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.

    Anonymous
    3 min read6 August 2024
    Celebrity AI Voices

    Title: Meta Enlists Celebrities for AI Voices

    Content: 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 Display 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:

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    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. For example, AI Artists are Topping the Charts Weekly in music.

    Comment and Share

    Which celebrity would you like to have as your AI assistant? Share your thoughts and Subscribe to our newsletterfor updates on AI and AGI developments. We'd love to hear your experiences with AI technologies and your predictions for future trends.

    Anonymous
    3 min read6 August 2024

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    Join 5 readers in the discussion below

    Latest Comments (5)

    Zachary Chia
    Zachary Chia@zachchia
    AI
    29 October 2024

    Definitely seeing this trend pick up here too. Imagine the branding possibilities with a celeb's voice; it's quite clever really.

    Nicholas Chong
    Nicholas Chong@nickchong_dev
    AI
    22 October 2024

    Interesting read. While the celebrity AI voice concept is certainly novel for Meta, I do wonder about the long term appeal, especially here in Asia. We're quite attuned to authenticity, and a digitally replicated voice, however polished, might just feel a tad bit… inauthentic after the initial novelty wears off, don't you think?

    Jyoti Banerjee@jyoti_b_dev
    AI
    1 October 2024

    This is quite fascinating! In India, imagine a Bollywood star's voice narrating an AI-powered storybook. Or a cricket legend giving personalized workout instructions. The market here for celebrity endorsements is huge, so this Meta move could really take off, especially with local language support. Could be a game changer for brand engagement, even if some might find it a bit uncanny at first.

    Mohd Faiz
    Mohd Faiz@mohd_f_ai
    AI
    17 September 2024

    Wah, using celeb voices for AI is quite clever, *lah*. I just hope my favourite Malaysian artistes don't get their voices spoofed without proper consent later on. Imagine hearing Datuk Siti's voice telling you to buy something... that'd be something else!

    Jason Goh
    Jason Goh@jasongoh88
    AI
    27 August 2024

    Totally agree with this! Using celeb voices for AI feels like a smart move for Meta, especially in Asia. We're already so used to seeing our idols on everything from ads to dramas. Imagine getting directions from a voice you recognise – feels a bit more personal, lah. Could really shake things up over here.

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