Can ChatBots Overstep on Social Media Platforms?
Having 18 years of marketing and PR experience under my belt, I've seen the digital world evolve in ways we could only dream of a decade ago. Ladies and Gentleman - I was there for MySpace and for when all the firms made the grabs for social media dollars in ad buys - it was the Wild West! I will just leave it at that for the newbies in the field.
But here's a quirky thought: what if the Shakespeare of tomorrow was an AI named "Chatbot-101?" Sounds amusing, right? Yet, with AI's steady infiltration into our digital lives, it isn't as far-fetched as you might think.
Meta recently rolled out a wild new idea: AI chatbots, but make them characters. We're talking about everything from reincarnations of Abe Lincoln to your stereotypical, suntanned surfer doling out travel advice. These chatterboxes are designed to spice up user experience across platforms like Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. As much as it brings novelty, it also pushes us to question the authenticity of what we create and consume online.
Simultaneously, LinkedIn, the 'professional' social media platform (you know, the one where your boss sends you connection requests), has unleashed its AI-powered 'LinkedIn Coach.' Like a zealous digital mentor, it guides you through profile-building and app usage. The Coach comes on the heels of LinkedIn's other AI assistants that do everything from jazzing up your profile to conjuring trending feed posts.
While these nifty AIs might seem like every multitasker's dream come true, I can't help but wonder: in our quest for efficiency, are we allowing technology to rob us of authenticity? What's more, are we deceiving ourselves and others by letting AI tools simulate 'experience' and 'knowledge' that we don't truly possess?
As someone who's spent years crafting unique narratives, I find it unsettling to imagine a future where AI could homogenize our digital interactions. For instance, LinkedIn risks becoming a bizarre land of robotic hustlers trying to outshine each other, leaving the platform's core value – genuine human connections – in the dust.
On one hand, these chatbots and digital assistants are a testament to human innovation. But on the flip side, their omnipresence in our digital sphere brings up a bit of an existential crisis: are we losing our grip on the authenticity that sets human creation apart? It's a delicate dance between leveraging AI for our convenience and ensuring we don't lose the spark of genuine human creativity.
With AI's rapid advances, it's high time we hit the pause button and ponder where we draw the line. So, here's a little food for thought for all of us riding the digital wave: let's ensure we're shaping technology, and not the other way round.
Referenced Articles:
Andrew Hutchinson, "Meta Is Developing AI Chatbots with Over 30 Different Personalities," Social Media Today, August 1, 2023, https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/metas-developing-ai-chatbots-over-30-different-personalities/689641/
Andrew Hutchinson, "LinkedIn Tests New AI Powered ‘LinkedIn Coach’ to Guide Your App Usage," Social Media Today, July 27, 2023, https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-tests-new-ai-powered-linkedin-coach-guide-your-app-usage/689267/
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About Michelle Hayes Uhlfelder
With 18 years of marketing and PR expertise, Michelle is dedicated to helping businesses grow and thrive in this ever-evolving marketing landscape. She is a thought leader and strategist committed to turning insights into action. Follow her on LinkedIn to connect.