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Meta Platforms Inc. is offering multi-million dollar deals to Hollywood stars Judi Dench and Awkwafina for pioneering AI voice projects.
Meta Finalizes AI Partnerships
The parent firm of Instagram and Facebook, Meta Platforms Inc., is scouting Hollywood actors and actresses for voiceover work in its AI projects.
According to Reuters, celebrities such as Judi Dench, Awkwafina, and Keegan-Michael Key have received millions of dollars via Meta.
Meta is in a mad dash to finalize all partnerships before its Connect 2024 event in September, where it intends to unveil a suite of AI tools. Representatives from the company have declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations.
The specific applications of the celebrity voices are yet unclear, although Meta has hinted that it may be a chatbot designed to serve as a digital assistant similar to Apple's Siri or perhaps a virtual friend.
Chatbots With Celebrity Voices
WION shares that users may converse with a chatbot that sounds like Awkwafina, for instance. Still, Meta and the representatives are having a hard time coming to an agreement; thus, the conversations have gotten rockier than anticipated.
In contrast to the demands of actor representatives, Meta is seeking exclusive use of the voices for a specific project for an indefinite period of time.
Several members of the creative community have expressed concern that they may lose their employment as a result of AI. Screenwriters and actors demanded protection against AI usage during labor stoppages last year. The people say that the principal actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, has reached a deal with Meta on conditions.
Previous Celebrity Collaborations
Famous people like Paris Hilton and Dwyane Wade have collaborated with Meta in the past to try out text-based chatbots that are influenced by celebrities.
Even though the program is no longer in operation, innovation has continued unabated; for example, Meta has just launched an AI studio where content creators may design chatbots that reflect their personalities.
