Meta's AI-generated bot accounts are not warmly appreciated

Meta made headlines in September 2023 when it launched an AI chatbot modeled after celebrities like Kendall Jenner and MrBeast. These high-profile figures have lent their likenesses to AI characters on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

 However, these celebrity-themed bots were quietly discontinued in the summer of 2024, lasting less than a year. However, recently, users have come across a handful of completely fictitious AI profiles still existing on the platform, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. Each account is labeled "AI Powered by Meta" and appears to have been created during the initial launch.

 Despite being part of a larger rollout, these bots failed to gain traction, with most profiles amassing only a few thousand followers and their posts receiving low engagement. That is, until recently. Widespread media attention, including Rolling Stone, and the virality of social media posts have thrust the bots into the spotlight. However, instead of expressing excitement, users have expressed confusion, annoyance, and anger.

 Another commenter on Liv’s account criticized the concept, writing, “This isn’t just virtual blackface it’s outright bizarre.” The backlash highlights broader discomfort with the concept of AI-driven personas, particularly when they attempt to represent complex identities and experiences.