Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has taken a significant leap into the realm of generative AI and virtual reality (VR) with a suite of groundbreaking announcements at its 2023 Connect conference. Among the array of updates, Meta unveiled an AI chat assistant tool integrated into its platforms, including WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and upcoming Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Quest 3. This assistant, powered by cutting-edge AI models, is set to offer real-time information and image generation capabilities.
Revolutionizing Communication: Meta’s AI Chatbots
Meta’s groundbreaking AI chat assistant, named Meta AI, is a pivotal step towards advancing generative AI. Leveraging Llama 2 technology and the latest large language model (LLM) research, Meta AI offers users an interactive and personified experience. It provides real-time information through a collaboration with Bing, thus enhancing the accuracy and timeliness of responses. Furthermore, Meta has partnered with Microsoft to integrate Bing into Meta AI’s chat experiences, showcasing their commitment to offering up-to-date and informative interactions.
In a bid to enhance engagement, Meta has infused the AI chatbot with celebrity voices, allowing users to interact in the style of various public figures. This personalized touch, encompassing 28 different characters and more to come, aims to make the AI chatbot experience more entertaining and engaging for users. Despite initial skepticism, Meta is optimistic about the success of this feature and has initiated beta testing with selected U.S. users.
Augmented Visuals: AI Tools on Instagram
Meta has introduced AI image editing tools on Instagram, introducing the “Restyle” feature that lets users reimagine their images by applying specified visual styles through descriptive prompts. Another feature, “Backdrop,” enables users to change the scene or background of their images based on provided prompts. These tools not only spark creativity but hold great potential for brand use, allowing for consistent and thematic visuals for product photography or model shots.
Creative Expression: Generative AI Stickers
Meta has also launched AI stickers, enabling users to create custom digital stickers for chats and stories across various Meta platforms. Using text prompts, users can swiftly generate unique, high-quality stickers, a feature likely to find favor among the billions of stickers sent across Meta’s apps each month.
Empowering Creators: Meta’s AI Studio and Ray-Ban Stories V.2
In a bid to encourage further innovation, Meta is launching an AI studio that empowers users to create their own AI engagement systems, reflecting their communication style and voice. This platform will allow developers to build third-party AIs for Meta’s messaging services, presenting opportunities for enhanced engagement and improved customer service experiences.
Moreover, Meta has unveiled an updated version of its Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses, boasting improved hardware and battery life. The addition of livestreaming to Facebook or Instagram directly from the glasses, along with the ability to interact with the community through comments, enhances the appeal of these smart glasses, especially for content creators.
Immersive Experiences: Quest 3 VR Headset
Meta’s Quest 3, its most advanced VR unit to date, promises breakthrough mixed reality experiences. The headset facilitates a spectrum of immersive experiences, including virtual piano playing and opening portals to other dimensions within one’s living room. With over 10 times more pixels than its predecessor, the Quest 3 aims to set a new standard for VR experiences, pushing users toward Meta’s ambitious metaverse vision.
Business Integration: Meta Quest for Business
Meta also provided a glimpse into its forthcoming Meta Quest for Business platform, allowing users to integrate various enterprise applications, including Microsoft 365 tools, into a virtual office space. This move underscores Meta’s commitment to furthering professional VR usage options and adds another dimension to its broader VR push.
