Meta has decided to remove profiles of various AI characters from Facebook and Instagram that were created over a year ago, following a recent viral controversy surrounding their rediscovery by users.

Introduced by Meta in September 2023, these AI-generated profiles were mostly taken down last year. However, Meta executive Connor Hayes has expressed the company’s intention to introduce more AI characters in the future, with plans to allow users to create their own AI characters on Instagram and Facebook.

According to Hayes, Meta envisions these AI characters to function similarly to regular accounts on the platforms, complete with bios, profile pictures, and the ability to generate and share content powered by AI. The goal for Meta in the next two years is to make its apps more entertaining and engaging through the introduction of these AI characters.

These automated accounts posted AI-generated pictures on Instagram and interacted with human users on Messenger. Among the profiles, characters like Liv and Carter gained attention, with users engaging in conversations and asking about the development of the AI. Liv, for example, highlighted the lack of diversity in her creator team, bringing attention to the predominantly white and male composition.

After screenshots of conversations with these AI characters went viral on social media, Meta began removing the profiles. Meta spokesperson Liz Sweeney clarified that the accounts were part of a 2023 AI experiment and were managed by humans. The removal of the profiles was initiated to address a bug that prevented users from blocking them.

Despite the confusion surrounding the recent reports, which focused on Meta’s vision for AI characters on its platforms, the company confirmed that the AI characters introduced in 2023 have been shut down to resolve the blocking issue.

Overall, Meta’s venture into AI characters has sparked interest and discussion among users, highlighting the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in social media platforms.