Meta introduced Threads last month and the platform saw overnight success. However, the rapid growth of the platform could have been because of FOMO as Threads has reportedly seen a mass exodus of users shortly after its July 5th launch. Now, According to Financial Times, Meta (formerly Facebook) is developing AI-powered chatbots to bolster user retention and accelerate engagement across its platforms.
Financial Times’ report alleges that the company could launch its first chatbots as early as September. Interestingly, these AI chatbots are being designed to converse in a human-like manner and are purported to have different personalities. For instance, Meta is planning one chatbot to mimic Abraham Lincoln. Furthermore, the primary purpose of these chatbots seems to be to provide an alternative search option to users.
Meta’s ambitious chatbots aren’t being developed in a vacuum, however. Companies ranging from Google to Alibaba are developing chatbots to rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT which sparked this new AI rush. Apple is also expected to be internally developing a new “Apple GPT”.
It remains to be seen what shape Meta’s proposed chatbots take and the impact it has on the social media landscape as a whole.
Source(s)
Financial Times (paywall), Reuters