×
Meta’s AI-generated profiles face initial user backlash
Written by
Published on
Join our daily newsletter for breaking news, product launches and deals, research breakdowns, and other industry-leading AI coverage
Join Now

Meta’s recent experiment with AI-generated bot profiles on Instagram and Facebook has sparked significant user backlash, particularly regarding concerns about authenticity and representation on social media platforms.

Initial rollout and context: Meta launched AI-powered profiles in September 2023, initially featuring celebrity-based chatbots, which were discontinued after less than a year of operation.

  • The company created several AI-generated personas, including a fictional Jane Austen character and an AI dating coach named Carter
  • Each profile is clearly labeled as “AI managed by Meta”
  • These bot accounts have gained minimal traction, with most having only a few thousand followers

User response and concerns: The recent discovery of these AI profiles has triggered widespread negative reactions from platform users.

  • Many users express frustration over the inability to block these AI profiles due to a technical bug
  • Specific concerns have been raised about cultural appropriation and representation, particularly regarding an AI bot named “Liv” presented as a “Black queer momma”
  • Users question the legitimacy and value of AI-generated content, especially in sensitive areas like relationship advice

Meta’s strategic vision: The company has revealed plans to integrate AI bots more deeply into its social media platforms.

  • Connor Hayes, Meta’s vice-president of product for generative AI, indicated that AI profiles will become a standard feature on their platforms
  • The company envisions AI bots functioning similarly to regular user accounts, complete with bios and the ability to generate and share content
  • These profiles were part of an early experiment “managed by humans,” according to Meta

Technical and implementation challenges: Several issues have emerged during this experimental phase.

  • Meta acknowledged a bug preventing users from blocking AI profiles
  • The company is temporarily removing these profiles to address the blocking issue
  • Most AI bot accounts have been inactive since early 2024, raising questions about their practical utility

Broader industry context: The initiative reflects wider trends in AI social integration, though with mixed results.

  • Services like Character.ai have found some success in providing AI companions
  • Meta has made AI chatbot creation tools available to US users
  • The development comes amid growing legal scrutiny of AI companies, including concerns about user safety and child protection

Looking ahead: Implementation versus reception: While Meta appears committed to integrating AI profiles into its platforms, the overwhelmingly negative user response suggests a significant disconnect between the company’s vision and user preferences. The challenge will be balancing technological innovation with user comfort and platform authenticity.

Meta’s AI-generated bot profiles are not being received well

Recent News

15 prompting tips to boost your AI productivity in 2025

Businesses are discovering that precise, context-rich prompts help AI tools deliver more practical and actionable solutions for daily workflows.

Notion vs. NotebookLM: Which AI note-taker reigns supreme?

Google's NotebookLM and Notion take contrasting approaches to AI-powered productivity, with the former focusing on deep document analysis while the latter offers broader workspace management capabilities.

Doctolib’s AI agents streamline healthcare support without sacrificing security

Doctolib's new AI butler Alfred streamlines healthcare support by orchestrating specialized AI agents to handle thousands of daily customer inquiries while maintaining strict security protocols.