'Why Awkwafina?' Internet slams Meta for paying millions to use actor's 'annoying' voice for AI

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Meta Platforms Inc, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is in discussions with prominent Hollywood actors to incorporate their voices into a new digital assistant product named MetaAI.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Meta is in talks with stars like Judi Dench, Awkwafina, and Keegan-Michael Key, as the tech giant aims to integrate more artificial intelligence into its services, as reported by Bloomberg Law.

Meta offers to use celebrity voices, including Awkwafina

The negotiations involve top talent agencies in Hollywood, though the terms are still fluid and it's uncertain which actors will ultimately sign on. Should agreements be reached, Meta could pay millions to these celebrities for the right to use their voices.

Meta's investment in AI is part of a broader race among tech giants to lead in this transformative technology. Recently, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced an increase in AI spending to at least $37 billion for the year, emphasizing the importance of building quickly to stay ahead of competitors.

This project aims to create AI-powered chatbots with voice capabilities that could act as virtual assistants, potentially transforming how users interact with Meta’s platforms. The proposed deals would allow Meta to use the recorded voices for a fixed period, avoiding indefinite rights issues that have previously caused disputes in the industry.

Meta plans to finalize these deals ahead of its Connect technology conference in late September, where it hopes to showcase new AI-focused products. Last year's introduction of digital chatbots featuring likenesses of celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady saw limited success, leading Meta to shift strategies and focus on integrating voice capabilities.

Meta’s ambitious plan to incorporate Awkwafina’s voice into its AI chatbot project has not been well received by the online community. The tech giant, aiming to enhance user interaction through familiar celebrity voices, found itself at the center of a social media storm.

Awkwafina has appeared in supporting roles in the comedy films 'Ocean's 8' and 'Crazy Rich Asians' (2018). Her standout performance in the comedy-drama 'The Farewell' (2019) garnered a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress. Additionally, she has released two albums, 'Yellow Ranger' (2014) and 'In Fina We Trust' (2018).

Why does AI stir controversy among Hollywood celebrities?

The use of celebrity voices in AI has been a contentious issue in Hollywood, with many actors concerned about the potential for misuse.

Previous incidents, such as Scarlett Johansson’s who voiced an AI system in Spike Jonze’s 2013 film 'Her,' accused the company of using a voice "eerily similar" to hers without her consent, despite her refusal to participate in the product, have heightened these concerns.

To address this, Meta is working to secure agreements with celebrities without upsetting key talent. According to sources, the proposed contract would allow Meta to record the voices of these celebrities for use in MetaAI, enabling users to interact with them and ask questions on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Meta’s Ray-Ban augmented reality glasses.

These agreements would be for a specific duration, with the option to renew or end the contract upon expiration. Celebrities would retain control over their voice rights, preventing indefinite use.

This approach aims to balance the benefits of innovative AI applications with the protection of talent rights, ensuring that top actors feel secure in lending their voices to the project.

Meta's bid to use Awkwafina’s voice in AI chatbots creates online buzz

Meta's recent move to enlist Awkwafina’s voice for their AI chatbot project has sparked a flurry of reactions across social media, while the tech giant aims to enhance user interaction with familiar voices, the choice of Awkwafina has garnered internet reactions.

One user quipped, "If you choose to speak to a chatbot with the voice of Awkwafina, you have more pressing issues," while another sarcastically commented, "Mfs who chose Awkwafina’s voice chat for 2 seconds."

"Awkwafina is the last voice I want to hear," wrote one user, with another adding, "Not a single soul wants to speak to an AI-generated Awkwafina." 

Some responses were more hilarious, such as, "If you choose Awkwafina as your chat voice, you should be able to file for mental health damages after she annoys you," and "You had a million choices and you opted for Awkwafina?"

Some users find humor in the situation, potentially seeing the novelty in using her voice for a chatbot, stating, "No One Gives A Fuck About Awkwafina LMAO," and "Awkwafina AI is hilarious." 

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