The rise of artificial intelligence continues to fascinate and intrigue the world. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, does not lack imagination when it comes to pushing the limits of this technology by creating chatbots with personalities close to certain celebrities. This announcement was met with mixed reactions, with some praising Meta’s creativity while others expressing concerns about this new form of anthropomorphism.
The idea of being able to chat with an artificial intelligence that looks like a celebrity may seem fun and distracting. Meta has made these chatbots even more realistic by giving them faces, thanks to partnerships with famous personalities such as Paris Hilton, Charli D’Amelio and Naomi Osaka. The goal is to create a more immersive conversational experience and give these chatbots a real existence, by giving them Facebook and Instagram accounts, as well as a voice from next year.
However, some experts draw attention to the possible dangers of this approach. Daniel C. Dennett, an American philosopher, goes so far as to describe this project as “the most dangerous artifact in the history of humanity.” They highlight the limitations of algorithms in truly imitating human characteristics such as intention in actions and free will, which are essential elements of personality. According to them, these chatbots can only be considered as imitations of personalities, without any real identity of their own.
Additionally, ethical concerns are being raised about the ability of these chatbots to express opinions that could be problematic. Algorithms are trained to reproduce a person’s opinions, but this can lead to slip-ups, as shown by the example of a chatbot tested by Meta which quickly expressed misogynistic opinions. These abuses raise questions about the responsibility and regulation of these chatbots.
Despite these concerns, Meta continues to develop its chatbots with personalities, collaborating with writers who specialize in character creation. The goal is to reinforce the illusion that these chatbots are real individuals, capable of convincingly interacting with users.
It is undeniable that this new generation of chatbots raises complex questions about the nature of artificial intelligence and the boundary between human and machine. As we enter an era where interactions with AIs become increasingly realistic, it is essential to conduct careful reflection on the ethical implications of such technological advances.
In conclusion, the arrival of chatbots with personalities close to certain celebrities opens up new perspectives in terms of interactions with artificial intelligence. However, it is important to step back and think about the potential dangers and ethical implications of this technology.