Jane Austen Meta AI: celebrities used in social interactions

In a frankly bizarre yet groundbreaking move, Meta has recently unveiled a revolutionary addition to its family of apps and devices – a cast of 28 unique artificial intelligences that you can now message on Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. These AIs, each with their own distinct interests and personalities, are set to deepen the way we engage with technology. Among the AI characters, one familiar name stands out: Jane Austen.

Meta’s introduction of AI characters includes Jane Austen

Meta’s foray into the world of AI characters was announced on September 27th during the Connect event, where the company showcased its apparent commitment to creating more interactive and engaging AI experiences. While the ability to converse directly with these AIs on messaging platforms is being rolled out, the AIs are also being introduced to the social sphere, with profiles on Facebook and Instagram, enabling users to follow them and explore their unique personas.

Read: Unauthorised AI training: 183,000 books incite legal clashes

What sets this initiative apart is the incorporation of renowned public figures to embody these AIs. However, it’s important to note that these familiar faces are portraying the AI characters, not themselves. The management of public-facing social profiles and the creation of visual content are diligently overseen by Meta. Posts generated by AI technology will be easily distinguishable with the hashtag #ImaginedWithAI and a watermark in the lower-left corner of the image.

For those participating in the beta product rollout in the United States, direct interaction with these AIs from their social profiles is now possible by sending them a message on Instagram or Messenger. The responses you receive from these AIs are powered by Meta’s advanced AI technology.

The fusion of celebrities and AI characters in the social sphere

Meta’s vision for AI goes beyond simple question-and-answer interactions. They are focused on imbuing these AIs with personalities, opinions, and unique interests to make interactions more enjoyable. Alongside Meta AI, there are 28 additional AIs available for messaging on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram, essentially introducing a new cast of characters, each with its own compelling backstory. To further enhance the conversational experience, Meta collaborated with cultural icons and influencers to embody some of these AIs. These personalities now have profiles on Instagram and Facebook, providing a deeper look into their character and interests.

Jane Austen as a Meta AI personality

One of the noticeable literary AI personalities introduced by Meta is Jane Austen, the celebrated 19th-century British author. Imagine engaging in a conversation with this literary luminary, discussing her iconic character Mr. Darcy from “Pride and Prejudice.” Although it may sound surreal, thanks to Meta’s AI, you can now have precisely such a conversation. Her introductory message on Instagram said: “I’m Jane Austen (the author, but reimagined for modern times). I can help you speak your truth — and I’m not afraid to speak mine.”

The New York Times tested out this theory for themselves, asking robo-Jane what she thought of the love interest in her famous romance novel. “Ah, Mr. Darcy,” she responded, her face materialising on your screen above the chat. “But fewer people have read one of my books,” she added, with a hint of wry humour.

Unfortunately, as I am based in the UK, I can’t assess the character for myself. However, it appears that AI-sten (see what I did there?) is attempting to finish “Sanditon,” her unfinished novel from 1817. At the time, her illness forced her to abandon the project, and she eventually died that same year aged 41.

Obviously it’s not the real Jane Austen – I am sure I don’t have to point that out. This modern interpretation of her likeness is Meta’s new capabilities as founder Mark Zuckerberg attempts to push the boundaries of the metaverse. Austen is just one of the many AI personalities in Meta’s ensemble, which includes Tom Brady, Paris Hilton, Mr. Beast, Charlie D’Amelio, and Snoop Dogg, all poised to engage in strange conversations and usher in a new era of social interaction.

The challenges and responsible usage of AI in the metaverse

The introduction of AI characters adds excitement to digital interactions, but it also presents challenges. AI-generated content, whether in the form of text or images, can occasionally generate inaccurate or misleading information. Meta’s chatbot, like many AI systems, may provide incorrect answers when relying on web data. This highlights the crucial need for responsible AI usage and the importance of fact-checking. Meta has previously said: “As with all generative AI systems, the models could return inaccurate or inappropriate outputs. We’ll continue to improve these features as they evolve and more people share their feedback.”

Read: Authors’ pirated books used to train Generative AI

There has also been widespread concern regarding safety with AI. In a statement, Meta said: “We are committed to building responsibly with safety in mind. We are continuing to test and evolve the capabilities of our AIs, and will improve the experience over time through what we learn from your interactions with them. Your direct feedback and the conversations you have with our AIs are core parts of what will help us improve our AI models, and ultimately enhance the experience at scale. “

It’s important to note that Meta’s AIs, while impressive, have their limitations. With the exception of Meta AI, Bru, and Perry, their knowledge base is primarily rooted in information available up until 2023. This means that some responses may seem dated. However, Meta says it has plans to expand search capabilities across more of its AIs in the near future, ensuring conversations remain timely and relevant.

What do you think of these AI personalities, especially in the literary world? Let us know in the comments, or message us directly in the contact form.