Meta has deleted profiles created using generative AI from Facebook and Instagram following significant public outcry. These profiles, launched in 2023 as part of an experiment, were designed as virtual personas with AI-generated biographies, profile photos, and the ability to interact with users through chats and posts. Initially, the project included celebrity-inspired avatars, which were discontinued in 2024 due to low user interest, but several non-celebrity profiles remained active. Recent attention to these accounts has reignited criticism of their design and purpose.
The controversy escalated after an interview with Connor Hayes, Meta’s Vice President of Generative AI Products, who discussed plans to integrate AI personas more deeply into Meta’s platforms. Hayes described a vision where these AI profiles would coexist with human accounts, generating content and interacting with users. This information prompted users to revisit the existing AI profiles, such as “Liv,” a character described as a “proud Black queer mom.”
Users called the profiles “creepy” and “unnecessary,” questioning the value of interacting with AI personas on platforms intended for human communication. Technical issues fueled the criticism: users reported being unable to block these accounts due to a bug, which Meta later acknowledged.
In response, Meta removed all AI profiles. The company stated that the deletion was aimed at resolving the blocking issue, but did not directly address broader criticisms regarding the concept or execution of the project. Despite this move, Meta continues to actively invest in generative AI technologies on its platforms, including tools for creating custom AI chatbots.
