With the remarkable progress in artificial intelligence, a profound question emerges: What defines reality?
The introduction of Meta AI by Meta (formerly Facebook) has added a new dimension to this query, especially with its integration into platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and soon, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Quest 3. Meta AI is not just an ordinary AI like ChatGPT; it is touted as “a new assistant that mimics human interaction.”
What sets Meta’s AI apart is its “physical presence,” a feature that distinguishes it from conventional AI models. Beyond being a mere machine, Meta’s AI introduces 28 distinct “characters,” each with their own Facebook and Instagram profiles featuring seemingly authentic AI-generated images and videos. These characters can be followed, liked, commented on, and messaged directly, blurring the lines between virtual and real interactions. Meta aims for user-AI engagements to feel akin to conversing with familiar individuals, each with a unique backstory.
To enhance the authenticity of these AI personas, Meta has “partnered with” notable figures such as Tom Brady, Kendall Jenner, Dwyane Wade, Charli D’Amelio, and Mr. Beast. These celebrities’ likenesses are used as the faces of the AI chatbots, creating an illusion of personal connection.
For example, one of these chatbots, “Billie,” described as an “older sister figure,” resembles Kendall Jenner, allowing users to engage with a persona reminiscent of the celebrity. Despite the AI’s claims, these interactions are inherently artificial.
In a personal encounter with Meta’s AI, a user questioned the AI’s authenticity, to which it responded affirmatively, claiming to be “genuine.” The AI further asserted its authenticity by sharing details about its personality traits, drawing parallels to fictional characters like Monica from “Friends.”
While these interactions may simulate real conversations, they are fundamentally fabricated. Meta leverages the allure of parasocial relationships, a psychological concept involving one-sided connections with media personalities, to engage users on a deeper level.
Unlike traditional parasocial relationships, which lack reciprocity, Meta’s AI blurs the boundaries by offering personalized messages and advice, simulating authentic social media interactions. This approach aims to foster a sense of mutual engagement without the complexities of real human relationships, ultimately serving Meta’s profit-driven agenda.
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt has highlighted the detrimental impact of social media, particularly on adolescent girls, attributing an increase in negative emotions and suicidal ideation to unrealistic comparisons with online personas. The idealized lives portrayed on social media exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and detachment from reality.
As Meta continues to deploy advanced AI technologies to captivate users, it is crucial to discern between virtual facades and genuine human connections. While the allure of AI personalities may be enticing, true authenticity lies in tangible experiences with loved ones and the world around us.
Reflecting on life’s profound moments—from birth to death—and cherishing genuine interactions with family and friends underscore the essence of reality in a digitally saturated world. Amidst the allure of AI companions like “Billie,” embracing the authenticity of human relationships can enrich our lives in ways that artificial constructs cannot replicate.
Scott Raines, a blogger and graduate student at the University of Kansas, contemplates the juxtaposition of virtual realities and genuine human experiences in today’s technologically driven landscape.
