Caveat – this posting was spawned by one of our followers who recently contacted us stating that something creepy and concerning happened when using Snapchat’s My AI. In their interaction with the app, the My AI function knew the names of the two cats that our follower owned, even though they did not mention them in their interactions with My AI – we have embedded a screen shot of the conversation with the permission of this follower that spawned this article. (we also redacted all their personal information for privacy)
In the fast-evolving onlife world of social media, understanding how platforms use your information is crucial, especially when it comes to their increased use of artificial intelligence (AI). Snapchat, a popular app among teens and adults alike, has introduced an AI feature called My AI, an advanced chatbot designed to enhance a user’s experience. However, unknown to many users, it’s important to know that My AI’s responses are informed by the entire history of your Snapchat activity. Here’s a closer look at how it works and what you need to be aware of as parents and teens.
My AI in Snapchat is an AI feature that interacts with its users by generating responses based on the information it has gathered. This AI doesn’t learn only from direct interactions with it, but also from all the data you have shared on Snapchat over time. This includes:
- Photos and videos you have sent or posted on your Story.
- Messages exchanged with friends and within groups.
- Saved snaps and stories in your Snapchat Memories.
- Details shared in your Snapchat profile.
- How you use filters, lenses, and other Snapchat features.
As an example, let’s say you’ve shared snaps of your cats with your friends over the years. Even if you have never directly told My AI about your pets, it can infer their existence and even their names from your past snaps and chats. So, when you ask My AI a question or engage in a conversation, it might surprise you by mentioning the cat’s names, making it seem like the AI has an uncanny awareness of your personal life. Here’s a screen shot of our follower’s conversation with My AI that spawned this article:
The underlying technology of My AI relies on extensive data analysis and natural language processing. By analyzing patterns and information from your Snapchat postings, the AI constructs a more personalized and contextually aware interaction. This capability is designed to make conversations feel more natural and engaging but can sometimes lead to surprising and creepy revelations about how much the AI knows about you and your life.
While the personalized experience can be enjoyable, it raises significant privacy concerns that should be considered such as:
- Be mindful of what you post and share on Snapchat, or any other social media platform that is now using artificial intelligence. Every snap, message, and interaction contribute to the data pool that My AI accesses.
- Regularly review your Snapchat privacy settings. Limit who can see your posts and what information is publicly available.
- Educate yourself about the implications of sharing personal information online and how it can be used by AI technologies.
Artificial Intelligence represents a significant advancement in making social media interactions more engaging and personalized. However, the experience of one of our followers, where My AI unexpectedly knew the names of their cats based on historical data, underscores a critical issue – the extensive data mining that fuels such AI capabilities. As illustrated by the embedded screenshot of this follower’s conversation, the AI’s uncanny awareness can feel intrusive and raise valid privacy concerns.
In the rapidly evolving onlife world, understanding how platforms use your data, especially with the integration of artificial intelligence, is crucial. Snapchat’s My AI draws on a vast array of your shared content—from photos and videos to messages and profile details when crafting its responses. This includes even the seemingly innocuous snaps of your pets, demonstrating the depth of data analysis involved.
While the personalized experience can be enjoyable, it is important to consider the privacy implications. Be mindful of what you post and share, regularly review your privacy settings, and educate yourself about the potential uses of your information by AI technologies.
Snapchat’s My AI highlights the need for vigilance regarding digital privacy. Social media platforms continuously collect and leverage user data, often for their financial benefit. Remember, once you hit the send button, your posts can become public, permanent, searchable, exploitable, copiable, and shareable. Both parents and teens should remain informed and cautious, balancing the advantages of these advanced AI technologies with a robust understanding of their privacy implications.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
