Google is reportedly developing AI-powered chatbots modelled after celebrities and popular YouTube influencers, according to The Information. This puts Google as a strong competitor in the growing market for interactive AI companions, following similar offerings from Meta and startups like Character.ai.
The chatbots will reportedly be powered by Google’s powerful large language model, Gemini, to deliver realistic and engaging conversations. According to the news report, Google is seeking partnerships with celebrities and influencers to build these chatbots. This chatbot will allow fans to interact directly with AI versions of their favourite personalities. Furthermore, this interactive chatbot will also incorporate a user-creation feature which will allow users to design their own chatbots with specific personalities and appearances.
While details on specific celebrity partnerships remain undisclosed, sources close to the matter have said that the Google could launch this chatbot as early as this year. Reportedly, this project is led by a team of ten people team including a Google Doodle team executive Ryan Germick. This feature is initially expected to come as part of Google Labs offerings.
Meta in November 2023 also took a leap into the world of AI companions with the launch of celebrity-inspired chatbots. These chatbots, like “Coco” channelling Charli D’Amelio, offer users a chance to interact with AI characters based on personalities they admire. While not a direct conversation with the celebrities themselves, these chatbots boast unique personalities and areas of expertise, allowing users to engage in activities like dance consultations or role-playing games.
