Meta Platforms is reportedly offering millions of dollars to Hollywood celebrities for the rights to record and use their voices in artificial intelligence projects, according to multiple sources familiar with the negotiations.
The tech giant is in talks with notable figures including Judi Dench, Awkwafina, and Keegan-Michael Key. These discussions are part of a broader strategy to develop AI tools that Meta plans to showcase at its Connect 2024 event in September. Representatives for Meta declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations.
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While the exact applications for these voices remain unclear, there have been discussions about potential uses such as creating chatbots that could act as digital assistants, similar to Apple’s Siri, or as personalized companions. For example, users might interact with a chatbot that utilizes Awkwafina’s voice.
Negotiations have been marked by repeated starts and stops due to disagreements over the terms of voice usage. Meta is seeking to secure rights for a broad range of uses over a fixed term for specific projects, while talent representatives are advocating for more stringent limits on how the voices are used.
The potential use of AI has raised concerns within the Hollywood creative community, with many fearing job losses due to technological advancements. During labor disputes in 2023, screenwriters and actors pushed for protections against AI. Despite these concerns, SAG-AFTRA (the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) has reached an agreement with Meta on certain terms.
Meta has previously experimented with text-based chatbots inspired by celebrities such as Dwyane Wade and Paris Hilton, although that program has since been discontinued. The company also launched an AI studio that enables content creators to develop chatbots based on their own likenesses.
Key Points:
- Meta’s Offer:
- Meta Platforms is offering millions of dollars to Hollywood celebrities for the rights to record and use their voices in AI projects.
- Celebrities Involved:
- Negotiations are ongoing with Judi Dench, Awkwafina, and Keegan-Michael Key.
- Purpose of Voices:
- The voices may be used in AI chatbots that could function as digital assistants or personalized companions.
- Negotiation Issues:
- Talks have stalled over disagreements on the terms of voice usage. Meta seeks broad rights for various uses over a fixed term, while representatives for the actors prefer stricter limitations.
- Industry Concerns:
- The use of AI in this manner has sparked concerns within Hollywood about potential job losses. SAG-AFTRA has reached an agreement with Meta despite these fears.
- Previous Meta Experiments:
- Meta has previously created text-based chatbots inspired by celebrities, but that program has ended. The company also launched an AI studio for content creators to make chatbots of themselves.
