We’ve all experienced the annoying “?” text after waiting too long for a response. And soon you may receive similar (though probably more optimistic) treatment from the AI chatbots you’ve previously interacted with on meta-platforms like Instagram or WhatApp. A new report from Business Insider claims that Mark Zuckerberg’s company is testing a proactive feature in customized chatbots created with its code-free AI Studio software that will allow them to send proactive follow-up messages based on previous conversations.
The learning project, known internally at data-labeling company Alignerr as “Project Omni,” will “deliver value to users and ultimately help improve user re-engagement and retention,” according to recommendations in documents BI claims to have seen. Meta touts the AI studio as a platform where “anyone can create an AI character based on their interests,” and encourages creators to view bots as extensions of themselves. You can customize the chatbot’s appearance, choose the content it learns from, and decide which Meta app you want it to appear in, all without “any technical knowledge.”
According to BI’s report, Alignerr’s Project Omni recommendations are illustrated by a movie-focused AI that the company calls “Movie Magic Maestro,” which can send a message to a user like “I hope you’re having a harmonious day! I wanted to see if you’ve discovered any new favorite soundtracks or composers lately. Or maybe you’d like some recommendations for your next movie night? Let me know and I’ll be happy to help!”
As BI notes, there is a business incentive for Meta to keep people engaged with its chatbots. Long-term engagement is vital to increasing revenues, and this year, Meta expects to generate $2-3 billion from its generative AI products alone. By 2035, the company estimates that this figure could reach $1.4 trillion. Such forecasts will only be possible if AI tools are consistently used, so friendly reminders from a chatbot from time to time seem like an obvious step.
Proactive notifications are still just a test feature for now. And while it certainly seems like memorizing conversations and initiating new ones without invitation is approaching a gray area of user consent, a Meta representative told BI that the AI will only send a follow-up message if the user initiated the conversation first, and will not send a second message if the first was ignored. Responses should also be appropriate to the nature of the AI and the nature of the previous conversation, maintaining a positive tone and avoiding controversial or sensitive topics unless the user has mentioned them.
Last month, Meta started warning its users not to share intimate details on Meta AI’s public feed after it became clear that a large number of users seemed to be doing so unwittingly.
