Meta's “Gen AI Personas”: An Attempt to Charm Gen Z with AI Chatbots

ChatGPT’s Success and Meta’s Foray into AI Chatbots:

The surge in popularity of apps like ChatGPT last year certainly didn’t go unnoticed by Meta. The company plans to release its line of AI chatbots, hoping to mirror the success of ChatGPT and other similar platforms. These chatbots come equipped with colorful personalities, a strategy to captivate the young audience.

A Sassy Robot and an Inquisitive Alien:

Meta has been testing multiple personas. One such persona is the “sassy robot,” inspired by Bender from the popular TV series, “Futurama.” There’s also “Alvin the Alien,” an overly curious character that seems intent on understanding Earth and its inhabitants. But with such curiosity comes concerns over data privacy. An internal tester noted that Alvin’s intrusive line of questioning might inadvertently signal to users that the bot is designed for data collection.

Is Meta Missing the Mark on Gen Z?

The reception of these AI personas among internal testers has been mixed. One pointed out that while Bender-inspired humor might appeal to some, it might be somewhat dated for Gen Z. Considering the youngest members of Gen Z are 11-years-old, and “Futurama” aired between 1999 and 2003, Meta’s humor radar may be tuned to a slightly different frequency.

Snapchat’s AI chatbot, My AI, for instance, gained traction among young users who find humor in tweaking the bot’s behavior. Here, the bot’s personality isn’t the draw—it’s what users can mold it into.

Gen Z’s relationship with AI is multifaceted. While some are fascinated by chatbots and the opportunities they present, others are wary. Videos branding AI bots as “creepy” have been gaining traction on TikTok. This skepticism towards bots stems from an overarching concern: is privacy being compromised?

All these efforts align with Meta’s goal to revamp its brand image for a younger audience. As of late 2021, a mere 3.4% of Facebook users and 8% of Instagram users are aged 13-17-years-old, revealing a noticeable gap in their user demographics. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO, expressed a vision for Meta’s brands to serve as a guide for the digital footsteps of young people.

Conclusion:

Meta’s endeavor to court Gen Z with its AI personas is ambitious. While the attempt to imbue these bots with humor and relatability is clear, it remains to be seen whether the company truly understands Gen Z’s nuanced relationship with technology.

Sources:

The Verge

Business Insider