/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24956945/23_Meta_Connect___Imagine.jpg "Meta AI assistant brings multiple AI characters to WhatsApp, bidding farewell to Instagram.")
Meta is joining the AI chatbot competition by introducing its own AI assistant and a range of AI characters on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger. The Meta AI assistant is designed to be a general-purpose assistant that can help with various tasks, from planning a trip with friends to answering questions that would typically be directed to a search engine. It sets itself apart by partnering with Microsoft’s Bing to provide real-time web results. Additionally, Meta AI can generate high-resolution images in seconds and is free to use.
Meta’s VP of generative AI, Ahmad Al-Dahle, describes the assistant as a custom-made large language model. It has been refined using feedback and innovation from Meta’s quasi-open source model, Llama 2. The assistant is trained to provide conversational and friendly responses, with an expanded context window for a more capable back-and-forth interaction. Meta is also introducing 28 AI characters, including celebrities and themed characters, with subtle animation in their profile images based on the conversation.
Meta’s AI assistant has undergone rigorous testing to avoid PR disasters and misinformation. It has been red-teamed for problematic use cases, and thousands of conversations have been created daily by employees as part of the testing process. Although currently not trained on public user data, Meta plans to integrate its own social platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, to enhance the assistant’s usefulness. With billions of daily users on its messaging apps, Meta aims to leverage its massive user base as a competitive advantage in the chatbot market.
In conclusion, Meta is entering the AI chatbot wars with its own AI assistant and a lineup of AI characters. The assistant offers general-purpose assistance, real-time web results through its partnership with Microsoft’s Bing, and the ability to generate high-resolution images. It is based on a custom-made language model refined with the feedback and innovation from Meta’s Llama 2 model. The assistant has undergone extensive testing to ensure safety and accuracy. Meta plans to integrate its own social platforms in the future and leverage its large user base as a competitive advantage.