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Meta slammed for 'disturbing' AI profiles—like a fake Black queer mom
The fake profile is one of many being tested on Instagram. Its bio bizarrely claims the robot is a "momma of 2" and "your realest source for life's ups and downs."
Social media users are calling out Meta's "disturbing" use of fake AI profiles on its sites, including several that are pretending to be women, people of color, LGBTQ+, or parents and supposedly speaking to their struggles.
The company behind Instagram and Facebook announced this week that it is launching several chatbots generated by artificial intelligence under the guise of fake profiles, aiming to drive engagement with users. Connor Hayes, vice-president of product for generative AI at Meta, told theFinancial Times that “we expect these AIs to actually, over time, exist on our platforms, kind of in the same way that accounts do."
The company refers to the accounts as "characters." Hayes revealed that hundreds of thousands have already been created by both Meta and its users, many of which have used their own likeness for AI imitations, including some influencers who have allowed the company to use their likeness for the fake profiles.
Not all users have been as enthusiastic — in fact, many have instead accused the company of deception and even appropriation for giving the robots identities based on marginalized communities. One fake profile with the name "Becca" uses the likeness of a woman of color while calling itself a "dog mom." The page is filled with AI-generated images of dogs.
Another fake profile, given the name "Liv," claims in its bio to be a "proud Black queer momma of 2" and "your realest source for life's ups and downs." The account is filled with AI-generated photos of her fake children, accompanied by captions about "raising strong girls" or quotes from real Black women like Michelle Obama. The bot has pretended to celebrate anniversaries, bake cookies, and even attend a hockey game.
Both accounts have over 1,000 followers — many of which are AI accounts, including each other. They are not able to be blocked.
Commenters have called the profiles "disturbing," while also poking fun at the absurdity of a computer program pretending to to be a parent to imaginary children. One user pointed out the bot's claim to be “your realest source,” writing: "We are officially being trolled by the rich and powerful."
One commenter noted that "several of the fake profiles are POC," as another called it akin to cultural appropriation, writing: "It’s disturbing that they are lying. Which is what they are doing. Why does AI get to appropriate identities and cultures at meta, but humans don’t?" Others accused Meta of hypocrisy for using queer identities as a product at the same time it censors and bans LGBTQ+ content.
Many users have vowed to never engage with the bots, with one stating: "No way in hell for me."
Ryan is a reporter at The Advocate, and a graduate of New York University Tisch's Department of Dramatic Writing, with a focus in television writing and comedy. She first became a published author at the age of 15 with her YA novel "Someone Else's Stars," and is now a member of GALECA, the LGBTQ+ society of entertainment critics, and the IRE, the society of Investigative Reporters and Editors. In her free time, Ryan likes watching New York Rangers hockey, listening to the Beach Boys, and practicing witchcraft.
Ryan is a reporter at The Advocate, and a graduate of New York University Tisch's Department of Dramatic Writing, with a focus in television writing and comedy. She first became a published author at the age of 15 with her YA novel "Someone Else's Stars," and is now a member of GALECA, the LGBTQ+ society of entertainment critics, and the IRE, the society of Investigative Reporters and Editors. In her free time, Ryan likes watching New York Rangers hockey, listening to the Beach Boys, and practicing witchcraft.
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