Users of Snapchat noticed some troubles with the AI chatbot on Tuesday night. Snapchat My AI posted a creepy story on its profile and stopped responding to text chats as normal, which alarmed quite a few users.
Snapchat’s My AI chatbot, which was made available to all users internationally earlier this year, is made to reply to users’ messages as if it were a buddy. Typically, it should be able to give advice on where to go and which Lenses to use, as well as reply to any Snaps people send it in chat.
However, a technical issue led to a creepy event that left people wondering what was going on. Snapchat My AI posted a creepy story, which looked like two colors cut in half, and people freaked out. Some users took the matter to social media and wondered whether artificial intelligence is finally taking over and our life will turn into one of those fictional Hollywood movies.
Snapchat My AI posted a story and freaked out users
Snapchat My AI posted the story, and when people noticed it, they asked other social media users whether they had experienced the same weird occurrence or not. The image itself then caused users to get alarmed. It included two overlapping colors in such a way that many people assumed it was a representation of a wall and a ceiling.
Snapchat AI?!
Apology accepted pic.twitter.com/49Fs2BgWxv
— Nik Mason (@NikMason3) August 16, 2023
In addition, Snapchat My AI posted the creepy story to its profile. We couldn’t see it with our own eyes as it was deleted, but videos posted by people on social media show that it lasted for around one second. Users speculated that the flat beige region and light flat color in the upper quadrant of the screen in the story might represent a wall and ceiling.
Snapchat My AI wants to hang out, not do homework
Some individuals even claimed on Twitter that they experienced fear because they thought the image was a representation of their own wall. However, it appears that all Snapchat users shared the image, and its content is uncertain.
Anyone else’s Snapchat My AI post to their story??? pic.twitter.com/8DNAKe1JXI
— Landon Reinhardt (@landonian87) August 16, 2023
The photo was once again taken down very shortly after it was posted. Then, when users attempted to communicate with Snapchat’s My AI, it went offline and displayed an error message that said it was having a “technical issue.”
My AI eventually went back up, but the post was still gone. Users were then allowed to ask the system what had occurred, and in answer to one, it stated that the message was a “fun way to mix things up” and then apologized if it had “caused any concern.”
What is My AI, and how to use it
My AI is a chatbot that Snapchatters can talk to. When you’re chatting, they can help with a tough trivia question, suggest the best gift for your best friend’s birthday, give ideas for a fun hiking trip over a long weekend, or recommend what to cook for dinner.
They’re always trying to make My AI better and smarter, but sometimes, what My AI says might not be completely right or safe. Since My AI is still learning, it’s a good idea to double-check what they say and not tell them any secret or personal stuff.
Manage your friends list with Snapchat’s new galaxy-themed feature
Snapchatters can easily tell the team what they think by holding down on any message from My AI. They can say what they want more or less of while My AI keeps learning. My AI works using OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology, plus extra safety stuff made just for Snapchat. If you share things My AI says with others, it’s nice to let them know that AI played a part in making it.
Featured image credit: Thought Catalog/Unsplash