As was reported in multiple news outlets this last week, people are intrigued by the new AI-generated chatbox modeled by Kendall Jenner, named Billie. On 27 September 2023, Meta introduced a new AI function, applicable to all their apps such as Instagram and Facebook. This function allows users to interact, have conversations, and ask for advice. These chatbots have different features depending on the character and have their own Instagram account. Billie now has 168,000 followers on the platform and has posted seven posts.
Instagram account of @yoursisbillie
Post of @yoursisbillie on Instagram, Kendall Jenner is posing as Billie and this video is not AI-generated.
Notwithstanding, the reactions are mixed, people find it creepy and are confused about whether the video footage is taken by Kendall Jenner herself or is AI-generated and ask if Jenner gets paid for this. See the picture below for more comments (Due to privacy, the usernames and profile pictures are blurred).
Comments under a post of @yoursisbillie on Instagram
Nevertheless, the account clarifies that the video and photo are of Kendall Jenner herself. However, posts with the AI logo (See the left corner of the picture below) are made by artificial intelligence.
Post of @yoursisbillie which is AI-generated.
Kendall Jenner is not the only one who modeled as a Meta AI-generated Chatbox, celebrities like Charlie D’Amelio and Snoop Dogg are also joining Mark Zuckerburg in his new step into Artificial Intelligence evolution. What is striking is that the chatbots adopt character traits of their human ”model”. For example, NFL quarterback Tom Brady will portray ‘’Bru’’, the sports debater chatbot while Charli D’Amelio, TikTokker, and dancer will model as ‘’Coco’’, the dance enthusiast.
However, this leads to an interesting concluding question, what are your thoughts on the new Meta chatbots? Will you use them and what for? For me, I’d prefer to consult friends for advice and skip chatbox Billie for now ;).
References
FunX. (2023, September 30). SNOOP DOGG BINNENKORT TE GEBRUIKEN ALS A.I. CHATBOT OP INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK. Retrieved October 19, 2023, from https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.funx.nl/news/entertainment/4271c4f5-3f9a-467b-8f4f-d1d0bd712cb4/snoop-dogg-binnenkort-te-gebruiken-als-a-i-chatbot-op-instagram-facebook&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1697719968120189&usg=AOvVaw1TUVz_bSazZdS6YQh9w702
Meta. (2023, September 27). Introducing new AI experiences across our family of apps and devices. Meta. Retrieved October 19, 2023, from https://about.fb.com/news/2023/09/introducing-ai-powered-assistants-characters-and-creative-tools/
Tempelaar, J. D. (2023, October 13). Kendall Jenner or Billie? say hello to Meta’s new AI characters. Medium. Retrieved October 19, 2023, from https://medium.com/@jdalytempelaar/kendall-jenner-or-billie-say-hello-to-metas-new-ai-characters-316adde8710d
Nowadays we are used to seeing bizarre (tech) trends and I’m not really surprised by them anymore, but this one surely got my attention. I’m aware that there is a blurry line between reality and AI, and usually I don’t mind engaging with AI tools. In this case however, I’m a bit hesitant because they are model after real personalities. It feels like they are impersonating them, and in my opinion it could cause misunderstandings and misinformation. Authentic interactions with real individuals still have a unique value in my opinion, and trying to replicate this through AI is not a positive development. So I think, like you, I’ll stick to communicating with real friends. Nevertheless, the blog post is really interesting! Thank you!
I was definitely surprised with this news when I read it last week. It is another project of Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta rebrand. I guess a large amount of followers that were gained by these accounts is a young audience that has a feeling the interaction with these celebrities are somewhat real. I don’t feel the authenticity or purpose behind this. If I’m being completely bland it feels like another way for celebrities and Meta to monetize communication without making a real impact. Just like the Metaverse last year, I don’t think this will catch on with majority of the public. Perhaps in the future, but this is not the first time we’ve seen a failed attempt in the upcoming Web3.0… And it certainly won’t be the last one.
The combination of AI chatbots and famous personalities like Billie, represented by Kendall Jenner, is in my personal view a fascinating but somewhat perplexing development. It makes it clear that AI technology is rapidly developing and playing a growing role in our everyday lives.
It is entirely understandable that there are mixed reactions to this innovation. People are naturally curious about the authenticity of the content and whether they are interacting with a real celebrity or a computer program. The idea of artificial intelligence chatbots taking on the personality of their human counterparts is both fascinating and slightly disturbing, because it blurs the line between man and machine.
Regarding my personal use of such chatbots, it would depend on the situation and the quality of interactions. I’m likely to lean on friends and experts for advice in the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, I can imagine a scenario where these chatbots would be useful to the entertainment and advertising industries. The way this technology is evolving in the years to come will be fascinating.
Last week i found an AI chatbot with the face of a celebrity for the first time. To be honest it creeped me out a bit. Nonetheless it’s pretty mind-blowing to see how Meta is taking artificial intelligence to the next level by introducing chatbots like Billie. It’s fascinating how these AI chatbots can take on the character traits of a celebrity. It provides adds a unique experience on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. I think the reactions of people being confused about whether the content is AI-generated or not are valid concerns. Transparency will be important in making users more comfortable with these AI-generated bots. But, it’s good to know that the creators are making efforts to clarify which posts are genuinely from the AI. It’s an interesting step into the world of artificial intelligence, and i will be excited to see how it all unfolds.