Key Takeaways
1. Meta has introduced 28 new AI bots on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram, leading to user complaints about their interactions.
2. The bots can autonomously start conversations and make suggestions, such as movie recommendations.
3. A follow-up messaging policy restricts bots from contacting users unless the user initiated the conversation and asked at least five questions in 14 days.
4. Meta aims to enhance user engagement through these bots, potentially increasing ad visibility and revenue.
5. It is unclear if Meta plans to monetize the AI chatbots or integrate them into its virtual reality platform, “Horizon Worlds.”
Just when we thought the era of bothersome AI bots was behind us, Meta has introduced 28 AI bots across its WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram platforms over the past year. These bots began independently posting images and starting conversations with actual users, leading to a surge of complaints from users who found it impossible to block them. Meta attributed this issue to a glitch.
New Developments in AI Bots
As reported by Business Insider, Mark Zuckerberg is revisiting the use of AI bots. Internal documents from Alignerr, a company that focuses on AI training, indicate that Meta Platforms is developing new AI bots. These chatbots are designed to interact with users autonomously on services like Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram in the near future. They will be capable of starting their own conversations, such as suggesting movies and offering relevant recommendations.
Follow-Up Messaging Policy
Meta has confirmed to TechCrunch that there is a follow-up messaging protocol for AI bots, which only takes place under specific circumstances. The bot can only reach out to the user again if the user previously started a conversation. Additionally, the user must have asked the AI at least five questions within a span of 14 days. Only then can the bot engage in further follow-up communication.
Meta reassures that no repeated messages will be sent. If the user does not reply to the initial inquiry, no further attempts will be made. This approach aims to ensure that interactions with AI are not overwhelming. The testing also indicates that the bots can remember chat content for a limited duration, allowing retrieval of information from earlier conversations within that timeframe.
Engaging Users and Business Implications
A spokesperson for Meta explained that this feature aims to assist users in discovering more engaging topics and promoting deeper interactions with AI. Users who remain on the platform longer tend to see more ads, which in turn boosts the company’s business model.
Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether Meta intends to monetize its AI chatbots. The company has not clarified whether sponsored content or paid responses will be part of its strategy. Furthermore, it is unclear if these chatbots will find a place in Meta’s virtual reality environment, “Horizon Worlds”, in the future.
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