Meta’s AI Bots Aim to Be Your New Social Media Friends

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is planning to take artificial intelligence to the next level by introducing AI bots as social media “friends.” These bots will have their own bios, profile pictures, and the ability to create and share content, according to Connor Hayes, Meta’s vice president of product for generative AI.

The addition of AI bots follows Meta’s efforts to enhance engagement across its platforms. Earlier this year, the company launched the AI Studio tool, enabling users to design custom AI characters. These characters can interact with others by answering messages and responding to story replies, serving as extensions of their creators.

Looking ahead, Meta is set to release another tool in 2025 called “Movie Gen,” which will allow users to generate AI-powered 16-second videos based on text prompts. These features are part of Meta’s strategy to keep its massive user base—currently at 3.29 billion daily active users across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger—engaged while also competing with popular platforms like TikTok and YouTube, which dominate among teens in the U.S.

Meta has historically been ambitious with emerging technologies, putting billions into projects like its Metaverse platform. While the Metaverse has struggled to gain widespread adoption, the company’s focus on AI reflects its continued push for innovative solutions to maintain relevance and user loyalty in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.

With AI bots set to become part of users’ social media experience, Meta is attempting to redefine online interaction, blending human and machine connections to drive platform engagement.

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