Meta Introduces AI in Beta, An Advanced Conversational Assistant For Its Apps

• Blockchain Council
• October 23, 2023

Meta, the tech giant, is taking a significant leap forward by introducing advanced AI capabilities to enhance user experiences. Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a suite of innovative AI-driven features and tools at the recent Meta Connect conference. These tools promise to transform how we connect, create, and communicate.

One of the standout announcements at the conference was the introduction of AI-generated stickers. These stickers will make messaging more engaging and expressive. They represent a new form of connection and expression. Billions of stickers are exchanged across Meta’s platforms every month. Users can effortlessly create customized stickers for their chats and stories with the new AI stickers.

What sets these AI stickers apart is the technology behind them. Meta has harnessed the power of AI models like Llama 2 and Emu, its foundational model for image generation. By simply providing a text prompt, users can generate multiple unique, high-quality stickers in a matter of seconds. Whether you want to convey your mood or add a touch of creativity to your messages, AI stickers provide a versatile and fun way to do so.

Meta is not stopping at stickers; they are also venturing into AI-powered image editing. Two new features, Restyle and Backdrop, are set to revolutionize how users interact with Instagram images. These tools, powered by Emu and Meta’s Segment Anything Model, allow you to reimagine and transform your images.

With Restyle, you can bring your creative visions to life by describing the visual style you want for your image. Whether it’s “watercolor” or a more intricate prompt like “collage from magazines and newspapers with torn edges,” these tools will help you achieve your desired look effortlessly.

Backdrop, on the other hand, empowers you to change the scene or background of your image. Imagine transporting yourself to a sublime aurora borealis or being surrounded by puppies with just a simple text prompt. These AI-driven features open up a world of image editing and storytelling possibilities.

Meta AI is the latest addition to Meta’s arsenal of AI-powered features. It’s an advanced conversational assistant available on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. It will soon be available on Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Quest 3. Meta AI will be more than just a digital tool; it aims to be a companion that understands your needs and enhances your interactions.

Powered by a custom model that leverages technology from Llama 2 and Meta’s latest large language model (LLM) research, Meta AI brings real-time information to your fingertips. In group chats, it can provide location suggestions. It will help you and your friends choose the perfect trailhead for your adventure. But Meta AI’s capabilities don’t stop there. It can also generate images based on text prompts, allowing you to create digital memorabilia of your experiences.

Meta’s commitment to AI goes beyond utility. It’s about injecting personality, opinions, and interests into the digital world. In addition to Meta AI, the company has introduced 28 more AI characters that users can interact with on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. These characters are not just algorithms. They come with unique backstories and distinct personalities.

What’s truly fascinating is that cultural icons and influencers voice some of these AI characters. Imagine conversing with Snoop Dogg, Tom Brady, or Kendall Jenner through these AI personas. Each character adds a new dimension to digital interactions. It makes conversations feel more like chats with familiar people.

As Meta pioneers these AI innovations, it’s also essential to address concerns. There are concerns about content transparency and responsible development. To ensure transparency, images created with Restyle and Backdrop will clearly show their use of AI. It will reduce the chances of being mistaken for human-generated content.

Meta acknowledges the knowledge base of these AI characters. Though, there are exceptions. The exceptions include Meta AI, Bru, and Perry, limited to information available up to 2023. But, they plan to expand their capabilities. They will incorporate real-time search functionality, similar to what Meta AI offers.

Meta’s commitment to AI extends beyond its own platforms. They have introduced AI Studio, a platform that supports the creation of AIs. This will soon be available to developers to build third-party AIs for Meta’s messaging services. Both coders and non-coders can use it. Businesses are also set to benefit. They can create AIs aligned with their brand values. It will enhance customer service experiences.

Creators will have the opportunity to extend their virtual presence across Meta’s apps. They can build their own AIs, providing users with unique and engaging experiences. Meta’s commitment to fostering AI creativity extends to a sandbox for users to experiment with creating their own AI. This will eventually be brought to the Metaverse. It will offer even greater levels of realism, embodiment, and connectedness.