Boss Cloned to Always Attend Meetings and Answer Employees' Questions
Meta is reportedly developing a clone of Mark Zuckerberg based on artificial intelligence (AI). This clone of the Meta CEO is designed to answer employees’ questions.
The AI version is said to be trained using Zuckerberg’s speaking style, tone of communication, and public views on the company’s strategy. The goal is for Meta’s nearly 79,000 employees to continue ‘interacting’ with the company leader even if he is not present in person.
A Financial Times report states that this project was created to increase employees’ closeness to one of Silicon Valley’s most influential figures. The AI character is also developed from Zuckerberg’s original images and voice, with the CEO involved in the training process.
Citing The Guardian, sources familiar with the project say the AI character will be developed using Zuckerberg’s images and voice.
Meta also believes this experiment can be emulated by influencers and creators, a segment of the digital economy grappling with the concept of digital avatars.
The Meta boss has a history of creating and experimenting with digital versions of himself. In 2022, Zuckerberg shared his avatar in the metaverse he championed, but its graphic quality became the subject of public ridicule.
He then uploaded an updated version. Nevertheless, Meta has recently scaled back its metaverse ambitions, where digital representations or avatars can interact with other virtual humans.
Instead, the company is developing 3D AI-based characters that can interact with humans in everyday conversations. Recently, the focus has been directed towards building a character based on Zuckerberg.
Synthesia, a UK-based startup valued at US$4 billion that creates realistic video avatars, states that the idea of senior executives using AI to enhance internal company presence is no longer science fiction.
“When you add realistic AI video and voice, engagement and retention increase significantly,” said a Synthesia spokesperson. “People work better when information is delivered by a familiar face or voice.”
Before Zuckerberg launches his AI version, he still has to attend meetings with thousands of Meta staff in person, as he did in 2023, two days after announcing the layoff of 10,000 employees. At that time, anxious staff questioned job security and the future of remote work.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Zuckerberg could also be assisted by CEO agent, a personal AI system being developed by Meta that already helps access internal company information more quickly. Zuckerberg is pushing for internal AI use to cut costs and accelerate work.