Meta’s AI Chatbot Adds Celebrity Voices: Judi Dench, John Cena & More

Meta is set to unveil new voice capabilities for its AI chatbot, allowing users to select from a range of celebrity voices, according to a source familiar with the company's plans. Among the stars lending their voices are Judi Dench, Kristen Bell, John Cena, Awkwafina, and Keegan-Michael Key, along with several generic voice options. This feature will be announced at Meta’s annual Connect conference, which begins on Wednesday.

Bringing Personality to Digital Assistance

The new voice options aim to enhance the user experience across Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The celebrity voices will be available in the U.S. and other English-speaking markets starting this week, providing a unique and engaging way for users to interact with Meta’s digital assistant. Bloomberg initially reported this summer that Meta had been in talks with various celebrities about incorporating their voices into AI projects.

Expanding AI Capabilities at Connect Conference

In addition to the AI chatbot announcement, Meta is expected to showcase a first version of its augmented-reality glasses and discuss its plans for other hardware innovations, such as the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. These glasses, released last year, were the first to integrate an audio version of the Meta AI chatbot, marking a significant step in merging AI with wearable technology.

Celebrity Voices Enhance AI Interaction

The introduction of celebrity voices is part of Meta’s strategy to make its AI chatbot more engaging and accessible to a wider audience. This move comes after the company experimented with text-based "character" versions of the chatbot inspired by celebrities like Paris Hilton and Snoop Dogg. While these text characters did not gain significant traction, Meta is now focusing on integrating more interactive and personalized features.

Competition in the Generative AI Space

Meta’s push to enhance its AI offerings comes as it competes with other tech giants like Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Google’s parent company Alphabet in the generative AI market. The company has been rapidly adding features to its chatbot, aiming to make it a more integral part of its apps.

Learning from Industry Challenges

Meta’s launch of celebrity voices follows OpenAI’s similar initiative earlier this year, which faced backlash when Scarlett Johansson accused the company of using a voice that resembled hers without permission. Meta is likely taking careful measures to ensure that its celebrity partnerships are well-established and transparent to avoid similar issues.

AI Studio: Empowering Creators with Chatbot Tools

Meta has also introduced AI Studio, a tool enabling content creators on its platforms to develop chatbot versions of themselves. This initiative reflects Meta's shift in focus toward empowering creators with AI technology, offering new ways to engage their audiences through personalized digital assistants.

Growing Trend: Celebrity Voices in AI Projects

This move signifies a growing trend in the AI industry, where companies are leveraging celebrity voices to create more engaging and personalized user experiences. It highlights the increasing importance of integrating human-like elements into digital assistants to enhance interaction and user adoption.