meta plans to sell targeted ads based on data in your ai chats

Meta to Utilize AI Interaction Data for Targeted Advertising

Meta announced on Wednesday a forthcoming shift in its advertising strategy. Data gathered from user engagement with its artificial intelligence (AI) products will be leveraged to deliver more precisely targeted advertisements across its suite of social media platforms.

Privacy Policy Updates and Geographic Restrictions

The company intends to revise its privacy policy by December 16th to reflect this alteration. Users will be notified of the changes in the coming days. This updated policy will be implemented globally, with the notable exceptions of South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

Existing privacy regulations within these regions preclude the collection of data for this specific purpose.

Expanding User Profiling Capabilities

For a considerable period, Meta’s primary revenue stream has depended on the creation of comprehensive user profiles on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. These profiles enable the sale of highly targeted advertising opportunities.

Advertisers are provided with tools to reach specific demographic segments and defined user groups. Now, data derived from interactions with Meta’s AI chatbot will be incorporated into these profiles, providing an additional and potent signal for ad targeting.

A New Data Stream from Meta AI

While Meta already possesses substantial amounts of user data, Meta AI represents a significant new source of information.

The company reports that over a billion individuals engage in conversations with Meta AI on a monthly basis, often involving extended and detailed exchanges. Previously offered without charge, Meta’s AI products will now contribute to the enhancement of its advertising offerings through data collection.

Examples of Targeted Advertising

For instance, if a user discusses hiking with Meta AI, they may subsequently encounter advertisements for hiking equipment.

However, Meta spokesperson Emil Vazquez clarified to TechCrunch that the privacy update extends beyond Meta AI, encompassing the company’s broader range of AI-powered features.

Data Collection from Multiple AI Features

This includes the potential use of data from AI features integrated into Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses – encompassing voice recordings, images, and videos analyzed by AI – to refine ad targeting.

Data from the new AI-video feed, Vibes, and the AI image generation tool, Imagine, may also be utilized.

Account Linking and Opt-Out Limitations

User conversations with Meta AI will only influence advertisements displayed on Facebook and Instagram if the user is logged into the same account across all products.

Meta has stated that there is currently no mechanism for users to opt out of this data collection process.

The Cost of "Free" Tech Products

These privacy modifications serve as a reminder that complimentary products from major technology companies often come with inherent conditions.

Numerous tech companies already employ AI interactions to refine their underlying models. Meta, for example, utilizes voice recordings, photos, and videos analyzed through Meta AI on its smart glasses for training purposes. This data will now also be channeled into its advertising infrastructure.

Sensitive Topic Protection

During a briefing for reporters, Meta privacy policy manager Christy Harris indicated that the company is still developing the systems necessary to integrate AI interactions into its advertising products.

However, she affirmed that user conversations concerning sensitive subjects – including religious beliefs, sexual orientation, political affiliations, health information, racial or ethnic origin, philosophical convictions, or trade union membership – will not be used to personalize advertising content.

Monetizing AI: Industry Trends

Technology companies are beginning to explore methods for monetizing AI products, many of which are currently offered at no cost.

On Monday, OpenAI introduced a system for purchasing products within ChatGPT, with the company receiving a commission on transactions completed through the application. Earlier this year, Google unveiled plans to incorporate advertisements into its AI-powered search feature, known as AI Mode.

Future of Ads within AI Products

Meta maintains that it has “no immediate plans” to introduce advertisements directly within its AI products, although CEO Mark Zuckerberg has hinted at the possibility of such a development in the future.