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Meta has decided to pull the plug on its celebrity lookalike AI chatbots, as revealed by The Information. These chatbots, which allowed users to chat with virtual versions of their favorite stars, were once a highlight at Meta’s Connect event last September. But alas, they are no more!
Following this closure, Meta launched AI Studio earlier this week. This new tool empowers creators in the US to design their own personal AI chatbots. It seems the company is shifting focus from celebrity impersonations to a more personalized approach that invites everyone—celebrities included—to craft their own AI companions.
According to Meta spokesperson Liz Sweeney, “You can no longer interact with AI characters embodied by celebrities.” She mentioned that the company learned a lot from the experience and aims to create unique connections through AI Studio. This shift is all about giving creators the freedom to innovate and connect in their own way.
Initially, Meta’s chatbots featured some fun alter egos like Charli D’Amelio as Coco, a dance-loving enthusiast, and Dwyane Wade as Victor, an Ironman triathlete encouraging you to be your best self. There were even plans for more celebrity bots, including Bear Grylls and Chloe Kim. However, those plans didn’t quite pan out, despite Meta reportedly shelling out millions for celebrity likenesses.
Despite the hiccup with celebrity bots, Meta remains optimistic about the potential of AI chatbots. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed his enthusiasm for chatbots in interviews, highlighting their integration into platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. So while we may not be chatting with our favorite celebs anymore, it seems there’s still plenty of exciting AI action on the horizon!
