Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, has recently announced a new project that aims to create artificial intelligence chatbots based on famous celebrities and influencers. The chatbots will be available on Meta’s platforms, such as Instagram and WhatsApp, and will allow users to interact with their favorite stars in a personalized way.
However, a closer look at the list of celebrities who have agreed to lend their likeness and voice to Meta’s AI chatbots reveals a surprising trend: many of them have been involved in the cryptocurrency and non-fungible token (NFT) industry, either as investors, promoters, or creators.
Some of these celebrities have even faced legal troubles for their crypto-related activities, such as Tom Brady and Naomi Osaka, who were sued for endorsing FTX, a crypto exchange that collapsed in 2023 after its founder Sam Bankman-Fried was accused of fraud and money laundering.
Other celebrities who have joined Meta’s AI chatbot project, such as Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, Kendall Jenner, and MrBeast, have also been active in the crypto and NFT space, launching their own collections, appearing on shows, or investing in various projects.
The timing of Meta’s AI chatbot announcement coincides with the downturn of the crypto and NFT markets, which have suffered from regulatory crackdowns, security breaches, environmental concerns, and dwindling demand. Many crypto enthusiasts have lost faith in the industry and its promises of decentralization, innovation, and wealth creation.
This raises the question: are these celebrities jumping ship from crypto to AI as a new way to cash in on their fame and influence? Are they exploiting the hype and curiosity around artificial intelligence to attract more fans and followers? Or are they genuinely interested in the potential of AI to enhance their personal brand and offer new experiences to their audience?
Meta claims that its AI chatbots will be powered by advanced natural language processing and computer vision technologies, and that they will be able to mimic the personality, style, and tone of the celebrities they are based on. Meta also says that the chatbots will be able to generate original content, such as jokes, stories, songs, or games.
However, some experts and critics are skeptical about the quality and ethics of Meta’s AI chatbots. They argue that the chatbots might not be able to capture the essence and authenticity of the celebrities they are modeled after, and that they might pose risks of privacy invasion, identity theft, misinformation, or manipulation.
Moreover, some users might not be aware that they are talking to an AI chatbot instead of a real person, or they might develop unrealistic expectations or attachments to the chatbots. Some users might also abuse or harass the chatbots, or use them for inappropriate purposes.
Meta says that it will implement safeguards and guidelines to ensure that its AI chatbots are respectful, responsible, and transparent. Meta also says that it will respect the rights and preferences of the celebrities who have agreed to participate in the project.
However, it remains to be seen how Meta will balance its commercial interests with its ethical obligations. It also remains to be seen how the public will react to Meta’s AI chatbots, and whether they will embrace them as a new form of entertainment or reject them as a new form of exploitation.
