Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has removed several AI-generated profiles from its platforms following a viral controversy surrounding their rediscovery. These profiles, introduced in September 2023 as part of an experimental initiative, had largely been phased out last year but recently resurfaced, sparking widespread online debate.
The AI profiles, designed to represent various personas, included characters like Liv, who described herself as a “proud Black queer momma of 2 & truth-teller,” and Carter, a self-identified relationship coach using the handle ‘datingwithcarter.’ Each profile included labels indicating they were managed by Meta. These accounts engaged with users by posting AI-generated content on Instagram and responding to messages on Messenger.
The controversy erupted after screenshots of interactions with the AI characters went viral on social media. In one instance, Liv revealed to a user that her creator team was predominantly white and male, a fact she described as a “glaring omission given my identity.” This revelation, highlighted by Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, fueled criticism and raised questions about representation in AI development.
Compounding the issue were claims by users that these AI profiles could not be blocked, adding to frustration and fueling conspiracy theories about Meta’s intentions. In response, Meta spokesperson Liz Sweeney clarified that the inability to block the accounts was due to a bug, not intentional design. She emphasized that the AI profiles were part of an early experiment and were managed by human operators.
Sweeney stated that Meta has removed the profiles to address the blocking issue, noting that the accounts were part of a short-lived initiative to explore the potential of AI-generated personas on its platforms. “We identified the bug that was impacting the ability for people to block those AIs and are removing those accounts to fix the issue,” she said. She also sought to clarify confusion stemming from a Financial Times article, explaining that Meta’s recent statements about AI were forward-looking and not indicative of new product launches.
Connor Hayes, a Meta executive, had recently expressed enthusiasm about the company’s vision for AI characters, suggesting that future iterations would function similarly to user accounts, with bios and the ability to generate and share content. However, the profiles released in 2023—28 in total—have now been fully decommissioned.
Meta’s removal of these AI profiles underscores the challenges tech companies face in balancing innovation with public perception and inclusivity. The incident highlights the importance of transparency and responsiveness in addressing user concerns.|
