Instagram working on a customisable ‘AI friend’ feature

Instagram is reportedly working on a new feature called 'AI friend', which, as the name suggests, lets users create a customisable AI friend that can help them with various tasks.

Instagram AI Friend | Instagram Create AI Friend | Instagram

It looks like the AI friend feature is still under development. (Image Source: Instagram)

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Jumping in on the AI bandwagon, the Meta-owned company seems to be testing a new feature called ‘AI friend’ that lets users make their very own customisable AI-powered imaginary friend.

According to a post by Alessandro Paluzzi on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram’s AI friend will be able to “answer questions, brainstorm ideas and talk through any challenges.”

Going by the screenshots shared by Paluzzi, it looks like users will be able to customise various aspects of their AI friend like gender and age. For example, the AI can be female, male or non-binary and you can choose if they are ‘young’, ‘adult’ or ‘elderly’.

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#Instagram is working on the ability to create an #AI friend 👀 pic.twitter.com/onAxGfGdSg

— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) October 30, 2023

Some other customisable parameters include choosing ethnicity, personality traits and interests. Once you are done with the customisations, Instagram will let you name your AI friends and choose an avatar for them. However, it is still unclear which AI tools Instagram will use the power the ‘AI friend’ feature. Moreover, it is unknown if and when Meta plans to release the new feature.

While AI friends can sound fun, there are some dangers associated with AI-powered chatbots. Earlier this year, Snapchat unveiled ‘My AI’, which functions similarly to Instagram’s AI friend feature and lets users get help on a wide range of topics like lenses to use, places to visit and more. But a few days later, My AI received a massive backlash after it was reportedly advising minors on topics like how to cover the smell of weed and setting the mood for sex.