Meta is making a splash in the AI world by courting top celebrities like Judi Dench, Keegan-Michael Key, and Awkwafina to lend their voices to its upcoming digital assistants. According to Bloomberg, the tech giant is working swiftly to finalize agreements so that these high-profile voices can be showcased at the Meta Connect conference in September.
The primary focus is a digital assistant product named MetaAI, which aims to bring a touch of star power to AI interactions. Meta is reportedly negotiating with leading talent agencies in Hollywood, offering potentially multi-million dollar deals to secure these voices. This move follows a similar strategy from last year’s Connect, where Meta invested heavily in celebrity AI chatbots before discontinuing them.
The contracts with these celebrities are expected to be temporary, allowing actors the option to renew their involvement once the initial term expires. The voices are set to be integrated across Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. Meta has yet to comment on the details of these negotiations.
This approach recalls previous efforts to integrate celebrity voices into technology, such as Waze’s voice directions or the now-discontinued Meta AI chatbots. However, with advancements in generative AI, the new MetaAI could offer a more realistic and engaging experience. For instance, OpenAI’s recent demonstration featured an AI voice eerily similar to Scarlett Johansson, highlighting the potential for a more authentic interaction with voices like Awkwafina’s.
As Meta gears up for its big reveal, the integration of renowned voices could redefine how users interact with AI, making these digital assistants feel less like gimmicks and more like engaging, personable tools.
For more details on Meta’s latest initiative, visit The Verge.
