News Summary

Meta has decided to delete its AI-powered profiles on Instagram and Facebook after some of these profiles went viral and led to controversy. The company had initially introduced these AI profiles in September 2023, and by the summer of 2024, most were removed. However, some profiles remained active until recently, when renewed interest and a viral spread of interactions prompted their removal. These AI profiles, such as ‘Liv’ and ‘Carter’, were part of a 2023 experiment and included AI-generated pictures and chat capabilities. Meta faced criticism over the identities these profiles portrayed and the lack of diversity in their creation. A bug that prevented users from blocking these AI accounts also contributed to the decision to remove them. Meta clarified that these profiles were managed by humans and were part of a test, not indicative of a new product launch. While these profiles are being removed, Meta continues to enable user-generated chatbots on its platforms, offering various roles such as a ‘therapist’ or ‘relationship coach’. The legal responsibility of chatbot creators for their content remains a topic of legal scrutiny.