Instagram May Soon Let You Create Your Own ‘AI Friend’
Instagram appears to be working on a new feature that will let users make their very own customizable “AI Friend.”
The feature was first spotted by Alessandro Paluzzi, a developer known for reverse engineering apps and finding early versions of upcoming updates. It was later reported by TechCrunch.
#Instagram is working on the ability to create an #AI friend đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/onAxGfGdSg
— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) October 30, 2023
According to screenshots shared by Paluzzi, the “AI friend” feature would allow Instagram users to customize an imaginary friend to their liking — with whatever ethnicity, gender, age, specific interests, and personality they wish. Users will then be able to speak with their AI friend.
In a screenshot, Instagram tells users that they will be able to chat with the AI friend and that it “answer questions, talk through any challenges, brainstorm ideas and much more.”
More screenshots 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/cCAFn9c7wZ
— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) October 30, 2023
The screenshots suggest that Instagram users will be able to customize various aspects of their AI friend such as by gender and age. For example, the AI can be “female,” “male,” or “non-binary” and users can choose if they want them to be “young,” “adult” or “elderly.”
Users will then be allowed to select the personality and ethnicity of their AI friend. Options include “reserved,” “creative,” “enthusiastic,” “witty,” “pragmatic,” and “empowering.” Instagram says that these selections will “inform the tone of your custom AI’s speech.”
To further customize their AI friend, Instagram users can choose their interests, which will “inform its personality and the nature of its conversations,” according to the screenshots. The options include “DIY,” “animals,” “career,” “education,” “entertainment,” “music,” “nature” and more.
Once an Instagram user has made these choices, they will be able to select an avatar and a name for their AI friend. They will then be taken to a chat window where they can click a button to start talking with the AI.
Instagram declined to comment on the unreleased feature to TechCrunch. The publication notes that unreleased features are sometimes never launched to the public and can be further changed during the development process.
Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.
