In a monumental move that underscores the ongoing digital transformation, Meta Platforms, previously known as Facebook Inc., has unveiled a suite of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and celebrity-modeled digital assistants. In a presentation at Meta’s Connect VR developers’ conference in Menlo Park, California, the tech magnate Mark Zuckerberg emphasized the role these tools will play in enhancing user experience.
Users of popular messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Messenger will soon be privy to automated sticker generation, where simple textual commands leverage cutting-edge AI technologies like ChatGPT to create visual stickers. For instance, a user can type “basketball-playing pizza” to generate a cartoonish sticker of a pizza slice juggling a basketball.
Further pushing the boundaries, Zuckerberg revealed AI-backed editing tools coming to Instagram, another feather in Meta’s cap. These tools will allow users to modify their photos through textual prompts, altering images in ways previously thought of as complex. He showcased how phrases could morph his childhood photographs – in one instance he donned a gaudy jacket and in another, his hair turned a vibrant shade of blue.
Powering these innovations is Meta’s “Emu” computer model, touted as a counterpart to the Llama family of language generation programs. The Emu can conjure images in approximately five seconds. Parallelly, the company’s new digital assistant, “Meta AI,” reminiscent of ChatGPT, furnishes advanced responses to text queries. This assistant even taps into Microsoft Bing to craft real-time, information-driven responses.
Seizing the zeitgeist of celebrity culture, Meta has collaborated with big names like Paris Hilton, Mr. Beast, and Kendall Jenner, manifesting them as digital avatars. Users can seek travel tips from a digital assistant named Lorena, portrayed by renowned actress Padma Lakshmi. Additionally, a foray into the gaming world is marked with users playing Dungeons & Dragons guided by Dungeon Master narrated by rapper Snoop Dogg.
The grand vision, as elucidated by Zuckerberg, is for users to interact with these AI-driven digital assistants in the yet-to-be-built “Metaverse” – Meta’s ambitious digital universe that consumes billions of dollars every quarter as it endeavors to craft a next-gen computing platform.
Amid this whirlwind of innovation, the tech maestro’s focus on AI has been evident. He stressed that Meta’s hefty AI investments lay the groundwork for the Metaverse, demonstrated further by the latest smart glasses Ray-Ban, co-developed with EssilorLuxottica. Priced at $299 and available from October 17th, these glasses will come equipped with “Meta’s AI” software, empowering wearers to identify landmarks or translate signs on the go.
