Meta's AI Chatbots May Soon Send Unsolicited Follow-Up Messages
Have you ever been on the receiving end of a passive-aggressive "?" text because you took a little too long to reply? Well, get ready, because Meta is apparently toying with the idea of bringing a similar, albeit hopefully more cheerful, experience to its AI chatbots. Imagine getting friendly pings from those AI pals you've chatted with on Instagram or WhatsApp!
According to a recent report, Meta is testing a "proactive" feature for its customizable chatbots, built using their no-code AI Studio. This would allow these bots to send follow-up messages based on previous conversations. I must confess, the idea is interesting, although it does feel a tiny bit intrusive.
Project Omni
Internally, this project is known as "Project Omni." The goal? To "provide value for users and ultimately help to improve re-engagement and user retention." Basically, Meta wants to keep you hooked! The AI Studio is designed so that "anyone can create an AI character based on their interests," and see these bots as an AI extension of themselves. You can tweak their appearance, choose their training data, and decide where they pop up – all without needing to be a tech whiz.
For example, an AI bot called "The Maestro of Movie Magic" might send you something like: "I hope you're having a harmonious day! I wanted to check in and see if you've discovered any new favorite soundtracks or composers recently. Or perhaps you'd like some recommendations for your next movie night? Let me know, and I'll be happy to help!" Sounds friendly enough, right?
Of course, there's a clear business reason behind all this. Meta wants you to spend more time engaging with its chatbots. That means more revenue, with projections reaching billions this year alone and potentially trillions by 2035. Those numbers hinge on consistent AI tool usage, so a little nudge from a chatbot makes sense from their perspective.
Important note: these proactive messages are still in the testing phase. And while it does feel like there's a bit of a gray area when it comes to user consent, Meta says these AI pals will only follow up if you've started the conversation first. Plus, if you ignore the first message, they won't bother you again. They also need to keep the tone consistent with the bot's personality and the previous chat, staying positive and avoiding controversial topics unless you bring them up first.
Remember when Meta warned people not to share too much personal info with Meta AI? It seems some users were oversharing, so boundaries are definitely important.
Source: Engadget