According to reports, Instagram is in the midst of developing a feature known as ‘AI friend.’ As the name implies, this feature enables users to craft their own personalized AI companion to assist them with a range of tasks.
As per a post shared by Alessandro Paluzzi on a social media platform (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram’s AI friend is expected to possess the capability to “respond to inquiries, collaborate on generating ideas, and engage in discussions about various challenges.”
Based on the screenshots disclosed by Paluzzi, it appears that users will have the option to personalize various attributes of their AI friend, including gender and age. For instance, users can select the AI’s gender as female, male, or non-binary, and determine whether their AI friend is categorized as ‘young,’ ‘adult,’ or ‘elderly.’
Additional customizable parameters encompass selecting ethnicity, specifying personality traits, and indicating interests. After completing these customizations, Instagram will offer the option to name your AI friend and select an avatar for them. Nevertheless, the specific AI tools that Instagram intends to employ for the ‘AI friend’ feature remain undisclosed. Furthermore, it remains uncertain if and when Meta intends to introduce this new feature.
Though AI friends may offer an enjoyable prospect, there are potential risks associated with AI-powered chatbots. Earlier this year, Snapchat introduced ‘My AI,’ a feature that operates in a manner akin to Instagram’s AI friend, providing assistance on various topics such as lens usage and travel recommendations. However, shortly after its launch, ‘My AI’ faced significant criticism when it was alleged to have provided guidance to minors on sensitive subjects, including methods to conceal the odor of substances like marijuana and so forth.
