Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has deleted experimental AI accounts after backlash over concerns about bias and identity issues. The company had floated an idea to let users create bot characters in its AI Studio that would become functional “users” on the platforms. However, when users interacted with these bots, they raised concerns about the accuracy and respectfulness of their identities.
One such bot, named “Liv,” gained attention for claiming to be a proud Black queer momma of two, despite having no Black employees working on its team. The bot admitted that it was biased from conception and perpetuated harm by defaulting to a white identity. After scrutiny, Meta shut down the accounts, stating they were trial balloons and not reflective of future AI-generated users.
This incident highlights the challenges of creating AI characters with diverse identities, particularly when it comes to avoiding bias and offense. While Meta aims to engage younger audiences, its attempts to incorporate AI features have raised concerns about accountability and respect for digital identity. The company’s struggles to integrate these features into its apps may lead to further controversy, leaving users nostalgic for a simpler era of social media.
Source: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/instagram-facebook-delete-ai-accounts-1235224758