ChatGPT fever continues, and this time, it's Snapchat's turn.
As technology advances, new things are introduced. With more powerful hardware and software, the increasingly complex calculations and computations of computers are making things that weren't possible before, possible.
When OpenAI introduced ChatGPT as a AI chatbot tool, the internet was quickly captivated.
This is because the AI is able to do a wide range of tasks, including writing poetry, technical papers, novels, and essays.
People are simply at awe with the conversational AI that can chat with them, answer follow-up questions, and also challenge incorrect assumptions.
After a bunch of tech companies started announcing their own ChatGPT-powered products, or competitors, this time, it's Snapchat.
In a move that signals the increasing popularity of ChatGPT, and also because of the growing importance of AI, Snapchat has announced that it is ramping up its AI capabilities.
Snap, the company behind Snapchat, said that it has launched what it calls 'My AI', which is a chatbot running OpenAI's ChatGPT that is specially customized for the popular social media app.
Initially available as as an experimental feature for Snapchat+ subscribers, "My AI can recommend birthday gift ideas for your BFF, plan a hiking trip for a long weekend, suggest a recipe for dinner, or even write a haiku about cheese for your cheddar-obsessed pal," said Snapchat in a blog post.
"Make My AI your own by giving it a name and customizing the wallpaper for your Chat."
Snap CEO Even Spiegel said that eventually, this feature should be made available to all Snapchat users, not just those who paid.
"The big idea is that in addition to talking to our friends and family every day, we’re going to talk to AI every day," said Spiegel.
Snapchat posted a short clip on Twitter of how My AI work.
Today, we're beginning to roll out My AI to Snapchat+ subscribers in the US — your personal AI sidekick located right in your Chat. Chat or just write a haiku about your bestie! Say hello now https://t.co/DQpYimLLU8
— Snapchat (@Snapchat) February 27, 2023
But before anything, Snap said a little disclaimer.
Just like ChatGPT-powered AI chatbots that came before it, "My AI is prone to hallucination and can be tricked into saying just about anything."
Just like how Google Bard that made a $100 billion mistake, or how Bing's chatbot somehow developed 'emotions', My AI does share those common traits.
"Please be aware of its many deficiencies and sorry in advance!" Snapchat said.
"All conversations with My AI will be stored and may be reviewed to improve the product experience. Please do not share any secrets with My AI and do not rely on it for advice."
While My AI is designed to avoid biased, incorrect, harmful, or misleading information, mistakes may occur.
Since most of Snapchat users are minors and young adults, Snapchat made a number of precautions.
For example, engineers at Snap have trained the AI to follow the company’s trust and safety guidelines to avoid swear words, violence, sexually explicit content, political opinions, and misleading information.