Last week, Snapchat caused a stir with user backlash after they expanded the availability of their AI assistant to all users. Unlike when it was offered initially to premium subscribers, the AI conversation bot, dubbed “My AI”, was now pinned as the default to the top of users’ chat feed.
The anger from users came to a head as seen in App Store reviews and on TikTok, Twitter and Instagram, where users were criticized for Snapchat automatically pinning My AI and giving users no control over opting out or moving it further down the chat list. Even more, premium subscribers were granted the ability to unpin My AI and clearing it from their chat feed.
But what is My AI and what could it do? Powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology, My AI was a chatbot that could answer questions ranging from trivia to offering buying advice, recommendations and recipes. Unfortunately, as one perceivable downside, My AI was always pinned to the top of the chat list above conversations with actual friends that was found to be intrusive and unwelcome.
My AI was now available to both Snapchat+ subscribers and non-paying users alike. Those with subscriptions have the luxury to unpin and remove My AI from their chat feed using a four-step process.
To do this, they would go to the chat screen by swiping right from the Camera screen, press and hold on My AI, tap “Chat Settings”, and then “Clear from Chat Feed”. This hasn’t yet been rolled out to non-paying users and until now, they remain with having My AI pinned to the top.
Do you think that Snapchat should offer that users should have more control over My AI and pinning it to the top? Comment your thoughts down below!
