Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, is working on a big change for its platforms. It wants to use AI bots to make social media more engaging for its billions of users. These bots would look and act like real people, with profiles, fake biographies, and AI-generated posts. The idea is to attract younger users and make the platforms more entertaining.
Connor Hayes, Meta’s vice president for AI, shared that these bots might eventually work just like regular accounts. Right now, users in the U.S. can create bots with special tools, and this feature will soon expand to other countries. So far, most people use these tools to improve their photos or other content, while many bots created are kept private, suggesting that creators still see AI as a work in progress.
Critics are worried about the risks. Becky Owen, a former Meta team leader, warns that fake AI accounts could spread false information if not carefully controlled. Other platforms like Snapchat and TikTok are also adding AI features, which some fear could make social media feel less real and more like a strange copy of itself.
While Meta hopes AI will keep its platforms exciting and relevant, concerns about misuse and trust in AI remain a big challenge. The company will need strong protections to ensure these new tools don’t do more harm than good.
