Meta develops AI chatbots aimed at Gen Z

Meta is developing new AI chatbots, called "Gen AI Personas," aimed at younger users. These chatbots will come in multiple "personas" geared towards engaging young users with more colorful behavior. Some of the personas that Meta is testing include a "sassy robot" persona inspired by Bender from Futurama and an overly curious "Alvin the Alien."

Meta plans to create "dozens" of these bots, and has even done some work on a chatbot creation tool to enable celebrities to make their own chatbots for their fans. There may also be some chatbots geared towards productivity, able to help with "coding and other tasks."

It is unclear when these chatbots will be released, but Meta is expected to announce them at its Meta Connect event on September 28th.

Some experts have questioned whether chatbots are really what Gen Z wants. Meghana Dhar, a former Snap and Instagram executive, says that chatbots don't "scream Gen Z to me," but definitely Gen Z is much more comfortable with newer technology. She added that Meta's goal with the chatbots, as always with new products, is to keep them engaged for longer so it has "increased opportunity to serve them ads."

It remains to be seen whether Meta's new AI chatbots will be a success with younger users. However, the company's investment in this area shows that it is serious about engaging with this generation and keeping them on its platforms.