On August 2, 2024, it was reported that Meta is negotiating with several prominent actors, including Awkwafina and Judi Dench, to incorporate their voices into a new digital assistant called MetaAI. This initiative is part of Meta’s broader strategy to enhance its artificial intelligence offerings.

In addition to Dench and Awkwafina, comedian Keegan-Michael Key is also in discussions with Meta. The negotiations involve all major talent agencies in Hollywood, indicating the scale of this project.

If agreements are reached, Meta could pay substantial fees to the participating actors. However, the outcome of these discussions remains uncertain, as the talks are still ongoing.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has significantly invested in AI technology. Recently, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced an increase in spending on AI to at least $37 billion this year, emphasizing the company’s commitment to leading in this competitive field.

One of the rapidly growing areas in AI is the development of chatbots with voice capabilities, which serve as virtual assistants. OpenAI recently introduced a version of its ChatGPT that can respond to voice commands, showcasing the merging of conversational AI with voice technology.

For more details, you can read the full article on The New York Times.