Meta is releasing new aspects of artificial intelligence where users can tailor their experience using stickers and photoshop their images at the drop of a hat. So what do you need to know?

‍

There’s no denying that AI has transformed the internet at an unprecedented pace and it’s clear that it’s not slowing down. Every day we see new information, new features and new developments announced stating they make the user experience ‘better.’ 

‍

Well, here’s another development from one of the major players in the social game - Meta is rolling out developments including new AI stickers across their apps - introducing a new way to express those oh-so-challenging emotions that emojis just don’t quite capture when sending a cute pic of your dog to Mum - and Meta AI with multiple personalities to tailor the user experience. 

‍

Read on to find out more…

‍

AI Stickers

Meta is known for their wide variety of stickers used on the platform, stating that ‘billions’ are sent across their platforms every month. With their new instalment of these stickers using AI, users are able to generate customised stickers for chats and stories. So, what does that mean? Essentially, through the use of LLama 2 and Emu technology, the Meta AI tool will turn text prompts into multiple high quality and unique stickers in a matter of seconds, providing users an opportunity to convey their feelings at any moment, on a far deeper level. If you feel like sending a mate a sticker of ‘pizza playing basketball’ or ‘super happy raccoon riding a motorbike’ you can count on these stickers to produce the goods. Pretty cool, right? 

‍

Image Editing With AI

What’s cooler is that soon users will be able to transform their images and co-create AI-generated images with their pals. They’re called “Restyle” and “Backdrop” - two new features launching on Instagram using Emu technology. Let’s dive into what these features actually do…

• Restyle lets you apply the visual styles that you describe in order to reimagine your images. Remember our trusty filters? It’s similar to that. Think of it like typing in descriptive instructions like “water colour” or “collage from magazines and newspapers with torn edges” to create the new image you want. Long gone are the days of simply throwing a filter over the top of your sunset on Instagram or using clunky editing tools to put your image in a frame.

• Backdrop is pretty nifty as it lets you change the scene or background of your image using prompts like “surrounded by puppies'' or “put me in front of a palm tree on the beach.” These instructions then trigger the tool to create an image of the background you described with the primary subject in the foreground. Useful, eh? 

You may be wondering how Meta is combatting users from interpreting these images as human-generated content. You’ll be pleased to know that any images using these features will indicate the use of AI. Meta is also experimenting with forms of visible and invisible markers to represent this distinction, in order to maintain transparency on the platform. 

‍

Meta AI

Meta has also released a new assistant on the platform that users can interact with as if they were a legit person. Using technology from LLama 2 and Meta’s latest large language model research, Meta AI can access real-time information to answer your deepest darkest questions instantaneously. Through their partnership with Bing, users can query to their hearts content and even utilise a tool for image generation. 

Here’s an example: 

“Imagine you and your friends are in a group chat discussing which trailhead to try in Santa Cruz. Meta AI surfaces options directly in the chat, so you can decide as a group which location to explore. What if after the hike you want a creative way to commemorate the day? Meta AI can help. Type “@MetaAI /imagine” followed by a descriptive text prompt like “create a button badge with a hiker and redwood trees,” and it will create a digital merit badge in the chat with your friends.”

‍

The Personalities 

Though this seems like a ChatGPT copy and paste situation - Meta AI is far more intimate than other AI platforms. Meta has introduced ‘characters’ to aid the user experience, creating a more personable and familiar interaction. They have recruited big names like Paris Hilton, Kendall Jenner, Snoop Dogg and more to take the user experience and connection to the next level. Though it's still early days, Meta acknowledges that the current knowledge base is limited to information that largely existed prior to 2023 so some answers may be dated, so as always, user discretion is advised when engaging with Meta AI. 

‍

What’s Coming Next

Meta introduced AI Studio which is a platform that supports the creation of these AIs and they anticipate on making this available to the wider community soon. Meta specifically called out Developers, Businesses and Creators to start. Developers can build third-party AIs for messaging services across the platform, Businesses can create AIs that represent their brand values and improve customer service experiences and Creators can build AIs to extend their virtual presence across Meta’s apps. Meta notes that a sandbox will be released within 2024, where anyone and everyone can experiment with creating their own AI. So whether you’re a Joe-Blo off the sidewalk or a serial Meta mastermind genius; every user will be able to experience a greater level of connectedness, realism and embodiment through Meta AI.

‍

So how does all this relate to ads?

These new developments are likely incoming for integration across advertising platforms so we can anticipate seeing some major changes in this space. AI has already been rolling through advertising for quite some time in ad copy suggestions and AI driven audiences, so it will be exciting to see how we can leverage these new developments to benefit our advertising campaigns more effectively. So, stay tuned for more to come, it can only get better from here!