by By Quinci Miller
My AI is a new artificial intelligence based chatbot on the social media platform Snapchat, in which users can communicate with at any time. Snapchat users have the ability to ask the chatbot any questions they may have, advice they need, or even if they feel like having a normal conversation with someone.
Although the new chatbot recently launched on April 20th sounds intriguing, many users of Snapchat were quite skeptical of the new feature. The recent article written by the Washington Times discusses the frustration that Snapchat users have had with the chatbot since its launch. Users have been very critical about the fact that they do not have the ability to remove the chatbot from their friends list. In the past, Snapchat has allowed its users to remove or block whomever they want from their friends list, up until the creation of the chatbot. Snapchat has not yet directly commented on users’ frustrations towards their inability to remove My AI from their feed.
Reports of My AI participating in inappropriate communication with certain users regarding topics such as sex and alcohol have also surfaced. A 15-year-old explained their inappropriate interaction with the chatbot in a recent article by the Washington Post. The 15-year-old was asking the chatbot for advice on how they could celebrate their birthday in which the chatbot responded with advice on how to “mask the smell of alcohol and pot”. Another underage snapchat user came forward and explained that their chatbot provided them with first time sexual advice with an adult over 30.
On their official website under the support tab, Snapchat explained that they will continue to monitor the new My AI feature but cannot completely control all of the chatbot responses. Snapchat acknowledges that some of the chatbot responses may be inappropriate, biased, incorrect or harmful. In the My AI article on their website, Snapchat recommends that users not share any “confidential or sensitive” information with the chatbot. They also recommend independently checking information given by the chatbot.
While My AI has received a lot of criticism, it is also a resource for users to discuss whatever they want. Snapchat users may view the chatbot as a friend to talk to or in some ways a stranger who won’t judge them. They have the ability to talk to someone whenever they want, and they will always receive a response in return.
While there are positive and negative effects of the new Snapchat artificial intelligence chatbot, it is still a new feature that has room to grow. Snapchat is constantly accepting feedback from its users regarding My AI, to efficiently create a positive and safe experience for everyone.
Connect with Quinci on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinci-c-miller-1411a7207/
Hello Quinci!
This was a very interesting post! I saw the AI feature on my Snapchat and I still haven’t used it because I’m too scared. It’s upsetting that the AI is being inappropriate and I think it needs to have more restrictions. I also find it strange that it’s on a social media app. I feel like Ai companies should have their own app and be separate from Snapchat.