• Meta Platforms plans to introduce celebrity voices to its AI chatbot, including Judi Dench, Kristen Bell, and John Cena.
• The feature will be launched across Meta's apps in the U.S. and other English-speaking markets.
• This move is part of Meta's strategy to compete with tech giants like Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Google.
• Despite potential controversies, Meta aims to enhance user experience and stay competitive in the tech industry.

In a groundbreaking move, Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, is set to introduce a new feature to its AI chatbot, allowing users to select from a range of celebrity voices. This exclusive information was shared with Reuters by a source familiar with the company's plans. The list of celebrities includes renowned actors Judi Dench, Kristen Bell, John Cena, Awkwafina, and Keegan-Michael Key. This feature will also offer several generic voice options, providing users with a variety of choices to personalize their digital assistant experience.

The announcement is expected to be made at Meta's annual Connect conference, which commences this Wednesday. The conference is a significant event in the tech industry, where Meta unveils its latest innovations and future plans. This year, the company is also anticipated to reveal the first version of its augmented-reality glasses, a significant step towards its vision of a more immersive digital experience.

The company's roadmap for other hardware devices, including its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, will also be discussed. These glasses, launched last year, were the first Meta product to include an audio version of the AI chatbot.

Meta's Strategy and Competition

The celebrity-voiced chatbot feature will be launched in the U.S. and other English-speaking markets across Meta's family of apps, which include Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This move is seen as a strategic step to enhance user experience and compete with rivals in the rapidly evolving tech industry. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has already started promoting this feature, posting a video featuring John Cena on Instagram last week. The video showed the two men and several others engaging in stunts while wearing the Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

Meta's push towards generative artificial intelligence products is part of its strategy to stay ahead in the tech race. The company is competing against giants like Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Google to dominate the emerging technology. As part of this strategy, Meta has been adding capabilities to its chatbot and making it a more integral part of the user experience on its apps.

However, this is not the first time Meta has attempted to incorporate star power into its chatbot experience. Last year, the company experimented with text-based character versions of the chatbot inspired by celebrities like Paris Hilton and Snoop Dogg. Despite the novelty, these versions did not gain significant traction with users.

Past Controversies and Future Prospects

Learning from this, Meta has shifted its focus to an AI Studio product that enables content creators on its platforms to create chatbot versions of themselves. The introduction of celebrity voices in AI chatbots is not without controversy. OpenAI faced backlash when actor Scarlett Johansson accused the company of making its chatbot sound eerily similar to her, despite her declining to lend her voice to the project. As Meta ventures into this new territory, it will need to navigate these potential pitfalls carefully.

The use of celebrity voices in AI technology is not entirely new. In 2019, Amazon's Alexa introduced a feature allowing users to choose the voice of actor Samuel L. Jackson. This move was well-received, indicating a positive user response to familiar and recognizable voices in their digital assistants. Meta's move to introduce a similar feature can be seen as a continuation of this trend, with the potential to significantly enhance the user experience.

As the Connect conference approaches, the tech world eagerly awaits the unveiling of this new feature and the future developments Meta has in store. In conclusion, Meta's introduction of celebrity voices to its AI chatbot is a significant step in the evolution of AI technology. By offering users a more personalized and recognizable experience, Meta is aiming to stay ahead in the competitive tech industry. However, the company will need to carefully navigate potential controversies and ensure that it respects the rights and wishes of the celebrities involved.