On February 27, 2023, Snapchat introduced My AI, an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, that performs various tasks such as answering questions, giving advice, and planning trips.
The feature has been pinned to the top of users’ chat feeds and can only be removed by paid subscribers. While many users have found the chatbot helpful, some have criticised its prominence on the app.
Say hi to My AI, our new chatbot located at the top of your chat. Write a song for your bestie who loves cheese, find the best IYKYK restaurant, or Snap it a photo of your garden to find the perfect recipe. Now free for all Snapchatters. #SnapPartnerSummit pic.twitter.com/U2KdozuWQz
— Snapchat (@Snapchat) April 19, 2023
Snapchat has also faced criticism for the confusion that has emerged over how the app uses location data. To clear the air, Snap has written a blog post covering how location data is used in My AI, clarifying that the chatbot “does not collect any new location information” from its users.
“We seek to minimise the amount of data we collect and aim to be as transparent as possible with our community about how each of our products uses their data,” Snap said.
Despite this, some users have expressed concerns over privacy issues, and Snap has been called out for being unclear over whether the chatbot can access private information.
This Snapchat AI just tried to gaslight me pic.twitter.com/daGCCXQToC
— The Ghost of Tom Seaver (@rewolfe27) April 19, 2023
The feature has been rolled out to millions of users globally, and paid subscribers can customise their Snapchat+ accounts by pinning and unpinning features, including My AI.
While some disgruntled US users “review bombed” the app, Snapchat faced a series of one-star reviews on Apple’s App Store. But in the UK, the reviews have been more measured, with some users praising My AI for its ability to rank footballers and name the best player in the Premier League.
A Snap spokesperson told the BBC that the “vast majority” of people with early access to My AI had been enjoying it, with millions of messages sent per day.
“We’ve appreciated all the feedback from our passionate community as we continue to improve the experience,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the criticism, Snap called My AI “an experimental, friendly, chatbot” and said that while the tool may not always be accurate, it could still be helpful in many situations.
“My AI is here to assist our users in whatever way they need, and we are constantly working to improve its capabilities and make it more user-friendly,” Snap said.
