Artificial intelligence has certainly given us some interesting moments, and it’s clear that things are only going to get more surreal. As technology advances, we’re heading full speed into uncharted territory, with the line between reality and digital constructions becoming ever more indistinct.
Consider the Meta Connect keynote that took place recently. Amidst the focus on Meta AI and Llama demonstrations, one presentation stood out for its sheer oddity.
During the event, Mark Zuckerberg invited creator Don Allen Stevenson III to join him on stage. What happened next was truly intriguing: Zuckerberg picked up a phone and began a conversation with an AI-generated version of Stevenson. Meanwhile, the real Stevenson stood right there, wedged between the Meta CEO and a massive screen displaying his digital doppelgänger.
This demonstration highlighted AI Studio, a platform for creating custom chatbots. Initially launched in July for all U.S. creators, the platform started with text responses only. However, the latest showcase revealed a new dimension—creators now have the capability to produce virtual avatars of themselves.
“If you’re getting a ton of DMs and don’t have the time to respond, Creator AI has been answering a lot of my frequently asked questions,” said Stevenson about his experience using the platform. “It saves time. I get to go outside and take a break.”
The demo was part of a presentation that also featured chatbots voiced by celebrities like Awkwafina, Dame Judi Dench, John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kristen Bell. As fascinating as it was, this is just the beginning; expect the AI landscape to get even more bizarre in the days to come.
