Instagram developing AI chatbot for more engaging chats.

App researcher Alessandro Paluzzi has released images which suggest that Instagram might be developing an AI chatbot. AI chatbots are already being developed, and it’s only a matter of time before more social media platforms like Instagram begin working on their own. Snapchat has already launched its “My AI” chatbot, which acts like a friend but has been criticised for its lack of appropriate age-gating features. Additionally, the social media service has recently introduced its paywalled My AI Snaps feature, which allows generated AI images.

With the rumoured chatbot, Instagram is about to take a big step into the AI space. Paluzzi posted images that show Instagram has an AI chatbot in development. He said the AI agents will be able to give advice and answer questions. The researcher, who is also a mobile developer and reverse engineer, noted that Instagram wants to introduce an AI chatbot to make chats more fun and engaging. He added that users will have up to 30 different personalities to choose from.

Instagram Could Release an AI Chatbot

In addition to answering questions, giving advice, and having 30 personalities, Instagram AI agents can inspire users’ creativity by helping them with writing messages. One of the images shows that users can bring the AI chatbot into an ongoing conversation with another person by mentioning it.

While the screenshots indicate that work is in progress, there has been no official confirmation from Instagram about the AI chatbot. Notably, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote about bringing together teams working on generative AI a few months ago. In February, he said the company would focus on building creative and expressive tools, adding that the team will “focus on developing AI personas that can help people in a variety of ways.” At the time, he also said there would be much groundwork towards the future plans. Perhaps the foundational work has indeed begun, as Paluzzi has stated.

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For now, there is no certainty about the AI tools Instagram would use for its chatbot. However, its parent company, Meta, has been using generative AI tools over time. The tech giant has used the tools in some of its businesses, such as ad sales.

The AI chatbot news comes after leaked information about Instagram working on a Twitter clone. Reports suggest the text-based app, code-named Barcelona, will be a stand-alone app that integrates with Instagram. All eyes are on Instagram as anticipation builds, with Barcelona rumoured to be due this summer.