Snapchat’s ‘My AI’

About a year ago, ‘My AI’ made its debut on top of the conversation list inside the Snapchat app – with no way to remove it*. AI has popped up in many places since then, and we may continually be wondering, “what does this mean?” or “how much data is being collected?” or “can I turn this off?” 

As with most AI uses, Snapchat is using this feature to tailor content to its users in order to make their platform more appealing to the user. The app admits that “My AI’s responses may include biased, incorrect, harmful, or misleading content” and that “you should not share confidential or sensitive information”; but it also allows the conversations that have been stored to be deleted. You can follow the steps to do this at this website:

https://help.snapchat.com/hc/en-us/articles/13266788358932-What-is-My-AI-on-Snapchat-and-how-do-I-use-it

“But what actually IS MY AI, on the Snapchat app?” Users can hold a conversation or send snaps to their My AI just like they would any other user conversation. The difference is the reply will come from an AI generated source. Snapchat teamed up with ChatGPT to make this feature possible and admits that its information comes from diverse, divisive, and possibly misinformative locations on the internet. They are constantly working to improve the source of information, but responses should always be fact-checked by the user.

“What, then, is the purpose of this feature or am I just holding a conversation with myself?” you may ask? Well, not exactly. The user could use this feature to look up information – maybe on topics he or she desires to keep private from others. Chats delete and can be deleted, even after 24 hours. This feature is somewhat  like a conversation with a computer generated friend, or similar to asking Siri or Alexa a question on your phone or computer. Users can use it to find suggestions on places to get supper or get gas, an answer to a question, or book recommendations, for example.

“What data is collected with My AI on my snapchat conversation list?” None, until you use it. You may reference the link above to delete any chats you have had with My AI. Unless you mention @myai in ANY conversation AND click on it, the feature is not activated and no response from it is made. However, if you mention it and select it, it will come up with a computer generated answer to your phrase. Additionally, when your location is shared with Snapchat, My AI can be used to find suggestions for nearby places. You can ask it a question and it will send a response based on your location. Alternatively, if your location is turned off and not shared with Snapchat, this will not be possible. 
My AI is cited as being ‘much more suited to creative tasks’ at this website, https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/19/23688913/snapchat-my-ai-chatbot-release-open-ai

*Similarly, this article, https://www.trustedreviews.com/explainer/what-is-my-ai-on-snapchat-4404120 , suggests further uses for the feature and requirements for deletion. The benefits of this feature are alluring and can be helpful in the right situation; however, God created humans with intellectual, creative brains to be used, in community with others who are face-to-face with them. Don’t forget about the humans in your life while chatting with other humans on your phone – or the AI on your phone.

**Please note, that although we have found valuable information from an external web page for our blog post, we do not endorse all information, religious views and opinions posted on these third-party websites.