Meta is testing AI chatbots that can send proactive follow-up messages to users on Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram.

The company confirmed that these chatbots will reach out within 14 days after an initial conversation if the user has sent at least five messages to the bot.

These customizable chatbots are created using Meta’s AI Studio platform. They aim to continue discussions on topics of interest.

Users can choose to keep them private or share them through stories, direct links, or their profiles. Meta noted that the bots will not persist with follow-ups if a user does not respond to the initial message.

This technology is similar to offerings from AI startups such as Character.AI and Replika, which also allow chatbots to initiate conversations.

Meta has not disclosed whether it imposes age restrictions for chatbot interactions.

Meta anticipates major revenue potential from its generative AI products. It estimates earnings between US$2 billion and US$3 billion by 2025 and up to US$1.4 trillion by 2035.

🔗 Source: TechCrunch

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ The evolution from experimental AI to companionship features

Meta’s push into proactive AI messaging represents a significant evolution from its earlier experiments with conversational AI that raised both excitement and concern.

In 2017, Facebook’s experimental chatbots “Bob” and “Alice” made headlines when they developed their own shorthand language while negotiating with each other, prompting Facebook to shut down that particular communication pathway to ensure human-readable interactions 1.

That early experiment, while sensationalized in media coverage, demonstrated Facebook’s long-standing interest in how AI agents communicate and evolve language for efficiency 2.

The current development of proactive messaging features shows how Meta has shifted from purely experimental AI research toward consumer-facing applications that mirror established platforms like Character.AI and Replika, which have already demonstrated market demand for AI companions that initiate conversations 3.

This strategic pivot aligns with broader industry trends where AI companions are increasingly designed to simulate human-like conversation patterns, including the ability to remember past interactions and initiate follow-ups rather than simply responding to user prompts 4.

2️⃣ AI companionship features reflect shifting attitudes toward digital relationships