Would you want your AI chatbot to start a conversation with you? If it’s a yes, then there’s some good news.

According to a report by Business Insider, Meta is testing AI chatbots that can kick off new conversations by following up on your past chats. The development was spotted in the guidelines for data labeling firm Alignerr’s “Project Omni,” and it has been confirmed by Meta.

The follow-up chatbots are being created using Meta’s no-code AI Studio software, a platform that enables anyone to create AI chatbots based on their interests. 

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“After you initiate a conversation, AIs in Meta AI Studio can follow up with you to share ideas or ask additional questions. This allows you to continue exploring topics of interest and engage in more meaningful conversations with the AIs across our apps,” a Meta spokesperson tells BI.

In Project Omni’s case, the objective is to provide value for users and increase engagement and user retention. One of the AI personas created, called “The Maestro of Movie Magic,” would ask users about the songs they have discovered recently.

“I hope you’re having a harmonious day! I wanted to check in and see if you’ve discovered any new favorite soundtracks or composers recently. Or perhaps you’d like some recommendations for your next movie night? Let me know, and I’ll be happy to help!” the message would read. 

These bots could be part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s larger vision for AI and how it could help forge relationships. As noted by BI, in some recent podcasts, Zuckerberg has mentioned that an average American has less than three close friends, and AI agents could help bridge that gap.

It could also pave the way for a new revenue stream. These chatbots can be shared as direct links or be added to profiles and stories. More engagement on Meta’s AI chatbots could result in more revenue, just like on the company’s social media platforms. Meta is projecting $2-3 billion in revenue through generative AI products in 2025. 

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Despite the engagement goal, the chatbots won’t be too intrusive, a Meta spokesperson tells BI. The follow-up messages would appear only once in 14 days, and only if the user has sent at least five messages to the chatbot during the same period. Also, if a user doesn’t respond to the first message initiated by the chatbot, it won’t initiate conversations ever again.

These bots are still being tested, and an official launch is yet to be confirmed. 

The report arrives just weeks after Meta faced a privacy issue with its Meta AI app. A design flaw forced users to unknowingly make their private chats public. After users called out the flaw on social media, Meta improved the app design to add a prompt before sharing chats to the public feed.  

About Jibin Joseph

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Jibin is a tech news writer based out of Ahmedabad, India. Previously, he served as the editor of iGeeksBlog and is a self-proclaimed tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex information for a broader audience.

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