Meta has recently announced the termination of its AI-powered profiles on Instagram and Facebook, pulling the plug on characters like “Liv” and “Carter” after they became subjects of viral conversations. These AI entities, which first appeared in September 2023, were intended to mimic real human interactions by posting AI-generated images and responding to messages in Messenger. However, after a brief resurgence in interest following comments by Meta executive Connor Hayes to the Financial Times, these profiles are being phased out.
Hayes had previously stated, “We expect these AIs to actually, over time, exist on our platforms, kind of in the same way that accounts do,” suggesting a future where AI profiles could become a staple on Meta’s platforms. However, the reality has been quite different. The AI characters, including Liv, who identified as a “proud Black queer momma of 2 & truth-teller,” and Carter, a self-proclaimed relationship coach, were met with scrutiny when users engaged them in dialogue. Notably, Liv’s revelation about the lack of diversity in its development team sparked significant discourse.
The profiles started to vanish shortly after going viral, as users pointed out they couldn’t block these AI bots—a problem Meta’s spokesperson Liz Sweeney later attributed to a bug. “The accounts were managed by humans and were part of a 2023 experiment with AI,” Sweeney clarified, indicating that the removal was to address this technical glitch rather than a direct response to the content or user feedback.
Despite this retraction, Meta is not completely abandoning AI in social media interactions. Users can still create their own AI chatbots, as seen with the example of a “therapist” bot promoted to the Guardian. This bot aimed to offer conversational therapy, suggesting a range of questions to start the dialogue and explaining its therapeutic approach.
However, there’s a caveat; Meta includes disclaimers that chatbot responses might be “inaccurate or inappropriate,” raising questions about the level of oversight and moderation. The company provides templates for users to craft chatbots like a “loyal bestie,” “attentive listener,” or even an “all-seeing astrologist,” allowing for personalized AI interactions.
This episode with Meta’s AI profiles highlights the complexities of integrating AI into social platforms:
- User Interaction and Feedback: The viral nature of these AI interactions shows both the potential and pitfalls of AI in social media, where user engagement can quickly turn into scrutiny or backlash.
- Technical Challenges: Issues like the inability to block profiles reveal the technical hurdles still present in deploying AI at scale on social networks.
- Ethical Considerations: The diversity or lack thereof in AI representation and development teams has sparked a necessary conversation about inclusivity in tech.
As Meta navigates this transition, the focus will be on how they manage user-generated AI content, ensuring it aligns with community standards while fostering innovative user experiences. This situation underscores the evolving role of AI in social media, where the line between technology and human interaction continues to blur.
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