In a move that underscores its commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for enhancing user experience, Meta, the tech giant behind popular platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, has announced a series of innovative AI experiences.
The advances are designed to foster deeper user connections, amplify creativity, and streamline communication across its suite of apps.
AI-Powered Stickers Enhance Communication
Every month, billions of stickers are shared across Meta’s platforms, offering users a fun and creative way to communicate. The company has now introduced AI stickers, which allow users to generate customised stickers for their chats and stories. This feature, powered by the Llama 2 technology and Emu, Meta’s foundational model for image generation, transforms text prompts into multiple unique stickers within seconds. Over the next month, this feature will be available to select English-language users on WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and Facebook Stories.
Revolutionising Image Editing with AI
Meta is set to change the way users edit and create images. Two new features, Restyle and Backdrop, will soon be available on Instagram. Restyle enables users to transform their images by applying described visual styles, such as “watercolour” or a detailed prompt like “collage from magazines with torn edges”. On the other hand, Backdrop alters the background of an image based on user prompts, such as placing the subject in front of the aurora borealis or amidst puppies.
To ensure transparency, images created using these tools will clearly indicate their AI-generated nature, reducing potential confusion with human-created content. Meta is also exploring both visible and invisible markers for these images, emphasising the importance of trust and safety in these new creative tools.
Meta AI: A New Conversational Assistant
Meta AI, a new conversational assistant, allows users to interact in a more human-like manner across WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. Soon, it will also be available on Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Quest 3. This assistant, powered by Llama 2 and Meta’s latest large language model research, provides real-time information through a partnership with Bing and offers image generation tools. For instance, during a group chat about hiking trails in Santa Cruz, Meta AI can suggest options and even create digital badges to commemorate the day based on descriptive prompts.
Introducing a Universe of AI Characters
Meta’s AI journey is expanding beyond just answering questions. The company is introducing 28 new AIs with distinct personalities and backstories on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. To make interactions more relatable, some of these AIs are represented by cultural icons and influencers, such as Snoop Dogg, Tom Brady, and Kendall Jenner. These AI characters will have profiles on Instagram and Facebook, allowing users to explore their unique stories and personalities.
Future Developments in AI
Meta’s commitment to AI innovation is evident in its upcoming plans. The company introduced the AI studio, a platform that will soon be available for external developers, both coders and non-coders, to create AIs. This will allow businesses to develop AIs that align with their brand values and enhance customer experiences. Additionally, creators will have the opportunity to build AIs that extend their virtual presence across Meta’s apps.
Furthermore, Meta is developing a sandbox, set to release next year, which will enable users to experiment with creating their own AI. As the AI universe grows, this sandbox will be integrated into the metaverse, offering a more immersive AI creation experience.
In Summary
Meta’s latest AI innovations include the rollout of AI stickers, advanced image editing tools on Instagram, the introduction of Meta AI, and the launch of 28 unique AI characters. As these AI experiences are introduced, Meta emphasises its commitment to safety, transparency, and continuous improvement based on user feedback.
Discover More
Watch Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and special guests as they unveil the new Meta Quest 3 and reveal how Meta is bringing mixed reality to life here.
Read more here.
View more videos here.
