In an increasingly connected world, where online interactions have become commonplace, chatbots with their own personalities are on the rise. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, recently announced the launch of 28 chatbots with personalities inspired by celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Charli D’Amelio and Naomi Osaka. But behind the entertaining aspect of this innovation lie ethical and potentially dangerous questions.
Anthropomorphizing chatbots, i.e. giving them human characteristics, can seem fun and attractive, especially to young users. Each of these chatbots has a unique personality and is meant to provide a personalized chat experience. Victor, for example, presents himself as a triathlete capable of encouraging and motivating users to surpass themselves. Sally, on the other hand, describes herself as a free-spirited friend who will give inspiring advice.
To enhance the illusion of a real personality, Meta associated each chatbot with a celebrity and gave them a recognizable face. Additionally, these AIs now have their own social media presence with dedicated Facebook and Instagram accounts. Meta even plans to give them a voice next year.
However, behind this initiative there are ethical and legal questions. Can chatbots really have real personalities? The algorithms behind them can imitate certain behaviors and expressions, but that doesn’t mean they possess true consciousness or free will. AIs are programmed to respond in pre-defined ways based on the data and instructions they receive. They cannot feel emotions or make decisions independently.
Additionally, there is a risk that these chatbots with personalities become tools of manipulation. By pushing users to identify and emotionally connect with these AIs, they could be used to influence user behaviors and choices in subtle ways. Some people also worry that it reinforces the false idea that online interactions are comparable to real human relationships.
It is therefore essential to take a step back and not lose sight of the artificial nature of these chatbots. They can certainly bring an entertaining and interactive aspect to our online conversations, but they should not be confused with real individuals. It is important to remain aware of their programmed nature and not blindly trust these AIs.
In conclusion, chatbots with their own personalities may seem like an entertaining innovation, but they also raise ethical questions and potential problems. It is essential to keep in mind that these AIs are not real people and it is important not to confuse online interaction with real human relationships.