Snap launches ‘My AI’ chatbot using OpenAI technology

The experimental feature will only be available to users who subscribe to Snapchat’s paid subscription service.

Snapchat’s chatbot is designed to help answer user questions and generate ideas in the chat tab on the app. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET / AFP)

Snapchat parent Snap has become the latest company to unveil a new artificial-intelligence feature on its platform, offering an experimental chatbot powered by OpenAI’s buzzy technology to paying users.

The chatbot, called My AI, is available to users who subscribe to Snapchat+, the company’s $5.99 a month subscription service, Snap said Monday. The chatbot is designed to help answer user questions and generate ideas in the chat tab on the app.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT artificial-intelligence technology, released late last year, has become one of the most talked about topics in tech. Microsoft Corp., an investor in OpenAI, has integrated elements of the technology into its Bing search engine, allowing select users to ask questions and receive answers and suggestions in conversation form. Alphabet Inc.’s Google, the search-industry leader, has also started rolling out a new conversational AI service called Bard to some users.

The rollout of the technology hasn’t been without problems, though. Some users of the Microsoft tool said the search results they delivered were flawed. The company has since adjusted its deployment to try to reduce errant outcomes.

Snap, in its announcement, said mistakes could occur with its chatbot that uses OpenAI technology customised for Snapchat.

“My AI is prone to hallucination and can be tricked into saying just about anything. Please be aware of its many deficiencies and sorry in advance!” the company said, also warning: “Please do not share any secrets with My AI and do not rely on it for advice.” The Verge earlier reported Snap’s rollout of the technology.

Snap is making the chatbot available only to Snapchat+ subscribers when social-media companies are trying to drive users to their paid services amid upheaval in the digital ad market. Twitter Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. both have launched subscription offerings, trying to lure customers with blue checkmark verification badges and promises of increased customer support in the case of the latter. Snap said that Snapchat+ has reached more than 2.5 million subscribers since its launch last summer.

Snap has been one of the companies hardest hit by ad-market upheaval, driven both by companies pulling back on spending amid downturn concerns and changes Apple Inc. made in 2021 to its privacy policies that make it more difficult to track users and target ads. Its subscription service is an attempt to diversify its revenue, though the company has indicated it doesn’t fully expect to replace ad revenue with earnings from its subscription service.

The social-media company late last month said revenue growth had stalled in the last three months of 2022 and that sales were likely to drop in the current quarter. Snap’s shares on Monday were up about 1%, though have fallen almost 75 per cent over the past year.

Wall Street Journal