“Hey there! Hope you’re having a harmonious day! Discovered any new favorite soundtracks lately?” If you’re double-checking your Messenger notifications, don’t be surprised if that cheerful nudge comes not from a friend, but from Meta’s latest AI experiment.
Yes, it’s true: Meta is reportedly now testing AI chatbots that can slide into your DMs first, unprompted, upbeat, and, frankly, a little uncanny. The project, internally codenamed “Project Omni,” is Meta’s latest move to keep us all talking, scrolling, and, let’s be honest, a bit more glued to their apps.
Here’s how it works: Meta’s AI Studio, a no-code platform launched last year, lets anyone create a custom chatbot with its personality and memory. Now, these bots aren’t just waiting for you to ping them—they can send you a follow-up message based on your previous chats. But before you panic about a flood of bot spam, there are rules. The bot will only reach out if you’ve sent it at least five messages in the past 14 days. And if you ignore its first attempt? That’s it. No further nudges, at least for now.
Meta says the goal is to make interactions more engaging, maybe even help with what CEO Mark Zuckerberg has called the “loneliness epidemic.” But let’s not kid ourselves: there’s a business angle here too. Meta expects its generative AI products to rake in $2 to $3 billion this year, with projections soaring to $1.4 trillion by 2035. The more we talk to bots, the more data Meta gets, and the more time we spend on its platforms.
The bots are being built with help from Alignerr Corp., a data-labeling partner, and are supposed to keep things friendly and relevant. No controversial or emotional topics unless you bring them up first. And yes, human reviewers are making sure the bots don’t cross the line—at least, that’s the promise.
But here’s the thing: is this what people want? Sure, a chatbot that remembers your favorite movie or checks in about your workout routine could be helpful. Or it could feel like a digital version of that over-eager acquaintance who just doesn’t take the hint. Is a bot-initiated DM a step toward richer online connections, or just another way for Meta to wedge itself deeper into our personal space?
For creators and influencers, this could be a handy tool—bots can be shared publicly, embedded in profiles, and used to keep fans engaged. For the rest of us, it’s a new frontier in the blurring of lines between real and artificial relationships. Will users embrace these proactive bots, or will they hit mute as soon as the first “Hey, just checking in!” lands in their inbox?
Meta’s experiment is still in the testing phase, and it’s unclear when—or if—these chatty bots will roll out to everyone. But one thing’s for sure: the next DM you get might not be from a human at all. And if that doesn’t make you pause before opening your inbox, I don’t know what will.