Meta is purportedly training its customizable artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, which can be built in the AI Studio, to communicate people without prompting. According to the report, the Menlo Park-based social media company is introducing a new feature to its Meta AI-powered chatbots that would allow them to send follow-up messages to users proactively. Furthermore, these chatbots will purportedly be able to recall previous discussions and apply that context when texting people. Meta is claimed to be adding this functionality to increase interaction with its AI chatbots.
Meta's AI chatbots may soon drop cold texts
Imagine opening the Facebook or Instagram app in the morning to see whether you've gotten any direct messages from pals, only to discover an AI chatbot reminding you to respond back. According to a Business Insider story, Meta is adding this functionality to its chatbots produced using the AI Studio.
According to papers obtained by the magazine, Meta is outsourcing this training initiative to data labeling provider Alignerr and referring to it internally as initiative Omni. According to the project rules, the training would allow chatbots to "provide value for users and ultimately help to improve re-engagement and user retention."
That implies that any AI Studio chatbot may proactively approach users with a follow-up text in an attempt to re-engage them. Notably, AI Studio enables users to construct chatbots based on real-life or fictitious characters, capable of providing personalized replies based on their jobs. AI Studio, which is available both as a standalone website and through Instagram, was originally presented in 2024.
According to reports, the docs include an example of a follow-up text. The newspaper stated that an AI chatbot dubbed The Maestro of Movie Magic would send the following message: "I hope you are enjoying a peaceful day! I wanted to check in to see if you had lately discovered any new favorite soundtracks or composers. Or maybe you want some suggestions for your next movie night? Let me know, and I'll be pleased to assist!"
Business Insider also contacted Meta about the function, and a corporate spokeswoman provided further details about it. These follow-up messages will apparently be sent only when a user initiates a discussion with a chatbot, and the AI will not send any more texts if the initial follow-up is not responded to.
Furthermore, these proactive communications are believed to only be delivered within the first 14 days after the original interaction. Notably, the spokesman informed the outlet that a user must submit at least five messages in order to receive a follow-up message.