Meta Offers Millions to Hollywood Stars for AI Voice Projects

Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) is negotiating with Hollywood celebrities to feature their voices in AI programs.

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Goal: Develop MetaAI, a digital assistant similar to Siri and Google Assistant.

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Voices to be used on Meta’s messenger and Ray-Ban Meta eyewear, among other platforms.

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Ongoing discussions involve using voice recordings for a limited duration, not indefinitely.

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Preliminary agreements with SAG-AFTRA, but actors’ representatives seek stricter conditions.

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– Restrictions are aimed at protecting performers from being replaced by AI. – Deals could cost millions, requiring actor consent for AI-generated likenesses.

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Meta aims to finalize agreements before the Meta Connect conference in September 2024.

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Planned announcement of AI products featuring voices of celebrities like Charli D'Amelio, Paris Hilton, Snoop Dogg, and Tom Brady.

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Meta continues with AI plans despite mixed reviews of previous chatbot trials.

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Spent up to $5 million on a two-year chatbot pilot with variable user engagement.

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Success of integrating celebrity voices in AI remains to be seen.

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Potential to significantly alter user interactions and impact the digital assistant market.

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