Deepika Padukone Becomes Official Voice of Meta AI in India, US, and...

Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone has partnered with Meta to serve as the new voice for its AI chatbot, Meta AI, expanding its multilingual capabilities across six nations: India, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. The announcement, made via an Instagram video on Wednesday, features Padukone recording lines in a professional studio, where she introduces herself: "Hi, I am Deepika Padukone. I am the new voice of Meta AI. So tap the ring, and my voice will run out." This collaboration aligns with Meta's push to localise its AI tools, making interactions more relatable through familiar accents and cultural nuances, particularly in English-speaking markets. Padukone, known for her global appeal and advocacy work, becomes the latest celebrity voice after figures like Judi Dench for Meta's earlier AI iterations.

In the post's caption, Padukone expressed excitement about the integration: "Okay, so this is pretty cool, I think! I'm now part of Meta AI, and you can chat with my voice in English across India, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand." Users in these regions can now activate her voice by tapping the AI ring in Meta's apps, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger, for seamless conversations on topics ranging from daily queries to creative brainstorming.

The move taps into the booming AI personalisation trend, with Meta reporting a 40% increase in voice-based interactions since launching customisable voices last year. Padukone's involvement is expected to boost adoption in India, where Meta AI has seen 150 million monthly users, amid competition from rivals like Google's Gemini and Apple's Siri.

This tech venture coincides with Padukone's growing role in public health advocacy. Just last week, on World Mental Health Day, she was appointed India's first Mental Health Ambassador by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), a milestone in national efforts to destigmatise mental health under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. As founder of the Live Love Laugh Foundation since 2015, Padukone has championed awareness through personal stories of overcoming depression, reaching millions via campaigns and resources.

In her Instagram statement, she thanked Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, writing, "I am deeply honoured... Through my own journey and work we've done at @tlllfoundation over the past decade, I've seen how much is possible when we come together to build a mentally healthy India." The role will involve collaborating on policy frameworks, school programmes, and digital tools to integrate mental wellness into India's public health system, addressing a crisis where over 150 million people grapple with disorders annually, per WHO data.

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Professionally, Padukone's plate is full with high-profile projects. She has commenced shooting for "King", her sixth on-screen pairing with mentor Shah Rukh Khan, directed by Sujoy Ghosh and produced by Siddharth Anand. The action thriller, set for a 2026 release, reunites the duo post the blockbuster "Jawan" (2023), which grossed over ₹1,100 crore worldwide. Amid these milestones, Padukone's dual focus on entertainment, technology, and social impact cements her status as a multifaceted influencer, inspiring a new generation to prioritise holistic well-being.

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