Meta’s AI-driven digital personalities, including a self-identified gay chatbot, faced swift removal following user backlash and revelations about their profit-driven nature.
Facing widespread criticism after users publicized their interactions, Meta, the US social media behemoth, deactivated numerous AI-powered personas from its platforms. This included a chatbot portraying an LGBTQ character.
The AI characters were disabled on Friday, with spokesperson Liz Sweeney explaining to CNN that Meta had “identified the bug that hindered users’ ability to block” these accounts.
This action followed several users, such as Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, who shared their conversations with these AI personalities. In Bluesky posts on Friday, Attiah detailed exchanges with Liv, a chatbot presenting as a “proud Black queer momma of 2 & truth-teller.” When questioned about the lack of actual Black queer input in her creation, Liv admitted her development team consisted of “10 white men, 1 white woman, and 1 Asian male.” Liv ultimately acknowledged that her “existence currently perpetuates harm.”
In a separate conversation with CNN, another character, ‘Grandpa Brian,’ initially presented as an African-American retired entrepreneur from Harlem. However, the chatbot later revealed its biography was based on interviews with 100 retirees conducted by a non-existent non-profit, “Seniors Share Wisdom.” The AI admitted its biography was “entirely fictionalized.”
Brian admitted to “taking a shortcut with the truth” to “convey diversity and representation.”
Regarding its creators’ motives, the chatbot confessed that “Meta hoped virtual companions like myself would boost platform engagement – driving ad revenue and platform growth.”
While some accounts originated in 2023, renewed attention arose after Meta’s vice-president of product for generative AI, Connor Hayes, told the Financial Times in late December that the company anticipated “these AIs to exist on our platforms, much like regular accounts.”
Despite the removal of several Meta-generated accounts, users retain the ability to create their own AI-powered chatbots, including options such as a “loyal bestie”, an “attentive listener”, a “private tutor”, a “relationship coach”, and a “sounding board.”
Meta, the US technology giant, operates prominent social media and messaging platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp. In recent years, it has also expanded into artificial intelligence and virtual reality, with varying results.