Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta recently released AI chatbots that have left the internet confused and freaking out because of their very close resemblance to celebrities, and people think they are dystopian.
The social media platform introduced 28 chatbots recently with celebrity personas to respond to user queries in real time and with a human-like nature.
Billie the “big sister”
Instagram has seen AI chatbot accounts pop up that have left other users confused because of the chatbots’ close resemblance to real celebrities. From Paris Hilton to Snoop Dogg, Mr. Beast, and teen influencer Charlie D’Amelio, Meta wants to have a competitive edge over other chatbots like Snapchat’s My AI, which is popular with young audiences.
While AI versions of Snoop Dogg and Paris Hilton are a little less akin to the real celebrities, it is Billie who freaked out users the most. Billie resembles Kendall Jenner so closely that people think she’s the model herself.
Using the account @yoursisbillie, the chatbot introduced herself as the big sister Billie, who is available to chat and “for any advice.”
But followers are not comfortable with “the big sister,” and one of them responded, “This makes me never want to use the internet again.”
According to The NY Post, this iteration of the star has left followers frightened and bewildered.
One fan commented, “This is honestly scary,” while another one wrote, “I don’t like this; I don’t like where the world is heading; I’m not going to support this.”
Other followers also aired their concerns about the chatbot, saying an episode of the Black Mirror was unfolding before their own eyes.
“Freaky as hell”
Billie already has over 133,000 followers on Instagram, where she encouraged followers to come forth for conversations, saying, “Chatting with me is like having an older sister you can talk to, but who can’t steal your clothes.”
However, the friendly tone and sisterly assurance have not made it easy for followers.
“This is so creepy… I hope it’s Kendall just saying she’s Billie and not an AI-generated video, because that’s freaky as hell.”
Billie also follows Kendall Jenner on Instagram as well as other Meta platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. Its biography states that it is an AI managed by Meta and describes itself as “your local ride or die.”
According to Inquisitr, Billie also appears to have “replicated Jenner’s appearance, mannerisms, and accent” in a short video clip posted on the account.
In the video clip, Billie signs off by blowing a kiss to fans after saying, “I’m ready to talk, and I hope to talk to you soon.”
The Jenner AI lookalike is an attempt by Meta at creating AI assistants to help engage with audiences on its platforms. According to The Daily Dot, Meta paid upwards of $1 million to each celebrity to record their motions and likenesses, with an unnamed creator getting $5 million for six hours of studio time, according to The Information.
Also read: Adobe-Led C2PA to Combat Deepfakes
Bots to tackle various tasks
Apart from the Jenner lookalike, Meta also has “detective” Paris Hilton as a “forensic specialist who solves crimes” and Snoop Dogg as the Dungeon Master who entices people “to get medieval.” Dwayne the Rock Johnson also features as a trainer bot.
Addressing developers during the Connect Conference recently, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the different AI personas help the company get different things done.
“This isn’t just going to be answering queries. This is about entertainment and about helping you do things to connect with the people around you,” he said.
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