Know More About Instagram's Rumored 'AI Friend' Feature

Technology Edited by Akhil Thomas Published: Nov 03, 2023, 11:36 am

Know More About Instagram's Rumored 'AI Friend' Feature (Image: Pixabay)

Meta-owned Instagram is reportedly testing a significant feature called ‘AI friend’. The new feature would permit Instagram users to customize an imaginary friend to their liking, and most importantly, users would also be able to speak with this AI chatbot. This development was first spotted by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi.

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

— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) October 30, 2023

Alessandro Paluzzi also shared screenshots of this new Instagram feature through his X handle. “#Instagram is working on the ability to create an #AI friend,” wrote the app researcher while sharing the screenshots. One of the screenshots indicates that the “AI Friend” feature has the ability to “answer questions, brainstorm ideas and talk through any challenges.”

More screenshots 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/cCAFn9c7wZ

— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) October 30, 2023

According to TechCrunch, users will be able to choose the gender and age of the AI chatbot. Users can also customize other aspects of the chatbot. This includes the chatbot”s ethnicity and personality. For example, users can select whether the AI friend is “reserved,” “enthusiastic,” “creative,” “witty,” “pragmatic” or “empowering.” Users also need to select specific interests, which will shape the chatbot”s conversations. After all these customizations, users are required to choose an avatar and a name for their new AI friend. After this process, users will be directed to a chat window, where they can start their conversation with AI.

However, Instagram has not made any official comment regarding the new feature. On October 23, Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced that the platform is testing a new feed option in which users can view posts only from verified users. The new “verified-only feed’ feature will increase the creator’s visibility, and in this way, Instagram is also trying to encourage more users to get the verified badges.