Google is reportedly developing new AI chatbots based on popular YouTube celebrities and influencers. The project is said to be using the Gemini family of large language models to power these chatbots, with plans to partner with influencers and celebrities to create realistic digital personalities. Additionally, Google is working on a feature that will allow users to create their own chatbots by describing their personalities and appearance. This initiative is similar to existing products from startups like Character.ai and companies like Meta, who have released chatbots based on personalities such as TikTok star Charli D’Amelio and Snoop Dogg.
Character.ai, which was founded by a former Google engineer and co-creator of “transformers”, offers chatbots based on a wide range of characters including politicians, philosophers, fictional characters, and even objects like a talking block of cheese. Meta’s chatbots have also incorporated popular figures like Mr. Beast, Tom Brady, and Paris Hilton. The Google project is reportedly being led by Ryan Germick, a long-time executive who has previously worked on Google Doodles, along with a team of ten individuals.
It is unclear which celebrities or influencers Google may partner with for their chatbots, but it is hinted that the bots may only be available on Google Labs initially as an experimental product. While Meta has integrated celebrity chatbots into their products, the engagement with these digital personalities has been relatively low compared to the real-life followings of the individuals themselves. For example, Meta’s Snoop Dogg chatbot only has 15,000 followers on Instagram compared to the millions who follow the human rapper.
The purpose behind Google’s development of these AI chatbots remains uncertain, especially considering the challenges faced by other companies in getting users to engage with digital replicas of real-life personalities. Despite the potential for affiliate links and commissions through user interactions with the chatbots, it is yet to be seen whether Google’s celebrity chatbots will gain traction among users. Overall, this initiative reflects the ongoing interest and investment in AI technology to create personalized and engaging digital experiences for users.
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https://www.engadget.com/google-is-reportedly-building-ai-chatbots-based-on-celebrities-and-influencers-235731655.html