Meta Platforms is in advanced talks with a star-studded lineup, including Awkwafina, Judi Dench, and Keegan-Michael Key, to lend their voices to its upcoming AI assistant, MetaAI. The tech giant is aggressively pursuing talent as it races to dominate the AI landscape.
As the competition in AI heats up, with companies like OpenAI making significant strides, Meta is pulling out all the stops. By securing the voices of renowned actors and influencers, the company aims to create a more engaging and personalized user experience for its AI assistant.
The potential deals would involve recording the celebrities’ voices for use in MetaAI, which users could interact with across various Meta platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. While the financial terms of the agreements are undisclosed, industry insiders speculate that Meta could be shelling out millions to secure these high-profile partnerships.
This move comes on the heels of Meta’s increased investment in AI, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg announcing a $37 billion budget for the technology this year. The company has previously experimented with AI-powered chatbots, but these early efforts have met with mixed results.
However, the path to AI dominance is fraught with challenges. The recent strikes by the SAG-AFTRA union highlight the growing concerns among actors and other entertainment industry professionals about the potential impact of AI on their livelihoods. While Meta’s proposed contracts offer a limited scope for voice usage, the broader implications for the industry remain a point of contention.
As the AI landscape continues to evolve, the battle for talent and intellectual property is set to intensify. Meta’s pursuit of celebrity voices is a strategic move to differentiate its AI assistant and capture a larger market share.
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