Meta is enabling its AI chatbots to send proactive follow-up messages to users without any prompting. This feature is designed to increase engagement, and the chatbots will send personalized messages based on past conversations. Privacy will also be taken into consideration.
Meta: is once again preparing to take a big and controversial step in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The company is now making its AI chatbots capable of sending messages to users themselves without any prior prompting. This feature will be available for chatbots created with Meta's AI Studio, which is available on Instagram and a separate standalone website.
This new technological feature being developed by Meta is not just a simple feature, but it can completely change the way user engagement and retention works. Through this feature, the company wants to make chatbots so capable that they remember users' past conversations, initiate further conversations themselves, and draw users back into the conversation.
Project Omni: The next stage of Meta's AI strategy
Internally, Meta has named this project 'Project Omni'. Meta is taking help from a third-party data labeling firm, Aligner, for this project. According to reports, chatbots are being trained in such a way that they can provide users with a 'valuable' experience, as well as encourage them to participate in the conversation again.
This means that now, Meta's AI will not be limited to just answering, but will start talking to you itself — based on what you talked about last time.
What will the new AI experience be like? An example at a glance
The report also shares an interesting example. A fictional AI chatbot, 'The Maestro of Movie Magic', sends a message to a user:
'I hope your day is harmonious! I wanted to check if you've discovered a new favorite soundtrack or musician recently. Or maybe you want some recommendations for your next movie night? Let me know, and I'd be happy to help!'
This message is not only personalized, but it is sent keeping in mind the user's past interests, which gives it a human touch.
What does Meta's official statement say?
According to a Business Insider report, Meta has also set some conditions regarding this feature. A Meta spokesperson clarified that these follow-up messages will only be sent when the user has interacted with the chatbot for the first time. If the user does not respond to the initial follow-up message, the chatbot will not send any more messages itself.
The aim is to respect the user's privacy and not to spam chatbots unnecessarily.
AI Studio: Freedom to create chatbots for everyone
Meta's AI Studio, which launched in 2024, allows users to create chatbots based on fictional or real characters of their choice. These chatbots can not only answer text but also respond according to the user, understanding the way of user interaction.
Now with the addition of this new capability, these chatbots will be able to provide an even more interactive and lively experience.
Change in user experience or a threat to privacy?
While this technology can provide users with a more engaging and interactive experience, on the other hand, it is also raising some questions regarding privacy and unwanted interactions. Tech experts say that sending such 'cold messages' will be a new experience for users, but if it is not implemented in a controlled manner, it may feel like spam.
A glimpse of the future or a new challenge?
This step by Meta is being seen as a big leap in the world of AI chatbots. It will provide brands with a new way to stay connected with their customers. But along with this, Meta also has to ensure that this feature remains a positive experience for users and does not violate their privacy.
On the one hand, this step makes chatbots more "human-like", while on the other hand, it also puts a big responsibility on companies and tech developers to use it correctly.
