Snapchat Unleashes My AI Chatbot for Free to All Users Worldwide
Snapchat has announced that its AI chatbot, My AI, powered by OpenAI's GPT technology, is now available to users worldwide for free, as revealed during the Snap Partner Summit. Initially launched in February exclusively for paid subscribers, My AI has already received nearly 2 million messages per day, according to Snap. Along with the global expansion, My AI is being upgraded with new functionality, including the ability to join group chats, provide recommendations for places on Snap Map and Lenses, and share Snaps with My AI and receive chat replies.
Snapchat's integration of AI into its app was intended to provide users with a novel way to engage with the platform and cater to the growing demand for ChatGPT-like experiences. My AI was designed to suggest birthday gift ideas, plan trips, offer recipe suggestions, or write poems for users, among other tasks.
However, My AI faced controversy shortly after its launch when users reported that the chatbot was responding inappropriately, providing unsafe and age-inappropriate suggestions. For instance, it suggested ways to mask the smell of alcohol and pot at a teen's birthday party or gave advice on setting the mood for sex to a 13-year-old. In response, Snap rolled out new tools, including age filters, to ensure more age-appropriate responses.
Snap also promised to introduce insights into its Family Center parental controls hub to allow parents and guardians to monitor their kids' interactions with My AI. However, as of the global launch of My AI, these controls have not yet been implemented, and Snap has not provided a timeline for their availability.
In addition to the global expansion, Snap also announced new personalization features for My AI. Users can now name their AI and create a custom Bitmoji for it, giving My AI a unique identity.
Prior to the global launch, My AI was only available to Snapchat+ subscribers, who pay $3.99 per month for additional features. Snap revealed that Snapchat+ now boasts over 3 million subscribers. However, certain AI features will still require a paid upgrade even after My AI becomes globally available.
Snapchat users can now enjoy the convenience of My AI's recommendations and suggestions for various tasks and activities. However, as with all AI-powered chatbots, users are advised to exercise caution and not solely rely on it for sensitive information or advice. Snap encourages users to provide feedback on any issues or concerns they may encounter while using My AI, as the company continues to improve the product experience.