Let’s face it: no AI is complete until it has a voice. Meta AI now has one and is ready to connect with you on your favorite Meta platform, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.
I had the chance to try out Meta’s new Llama-powered chat capabilities at Meta Connect 2024, taking place September 24-26 at the iconic Meta HQ at 1 Hacker Way.
Admittedly, the conditions were suboptimal. Meta AI was on a phone on the Meta Campus, where people were hanging out and helicopters were flying overhead. A Meta employee told me that the phone’s microphone was on and Meta was listening, and I was standing in front of it talking.
“So I can just talk to it?” I asked.
Meta said, “Yes, you can. I’m here to help. Just say what’s on your mind and I’ll do my best to help you. Go ahead.”
I was suddenly bewildered and couldn’t think of a question, so I asked Meta AI if it knew where New York City was, and it immediately gave me a detailed answer.
While Meta AI was talking, I interrupted her and told her that I was thinking about moving there, but I didn’t know where the best place was.
“That’s exciting,” Meta AI replied and began sketching the five Burroughs of the city. I interrupted Meta AI again and told her I was considering Manhattan.
Meta-AI told them without hesitation that Manhattan has diversity.
Everything Meta AI said also appeared as text on the screen.
I asked Meta AI if it thought I could get an apartment in Harlem for under $500,000. To my surprise, it said yes and gave me detailed examples.
At this point there was a bit too much noise interference and Meta AI didn’t hear me when I asked for a moving company or when I asked it to stop responding. It actually seemed to enjoy going through Harlem condo options.
By briefly turning off the speaker, we were able to regain control of Meta AI, which quickly opened up a number of options for me to get started as a moving company.
Even with that glitch at the end, this was an impressive little demo. Meta AI’s speech capabilities are smart, understand context, and can pivot if you interrupt them.
Meta AI’s voice capabilities are rolling out now in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It can chat, tell stories and figure out things like where to move and how to find a home within your budget.