The entire tech world is moving toward AI (Artificial Intelligence), as several companies are looking to add AI chatbots to their services. Snapchat is no different, as the popular photo-sharing app has implemented OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its service. Dubbed My AI, this is an AI chatbot that’s supposed to look and behave like a human user.
So, what is this chatbot? How does it differ from ChatGPT proper? Does it augment the Snapchat experience at all? Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about Snapchat’s My AI.
How do I access My AI?
[Update: My AI is now available to all users]
At the time of this article, you need to have a subscription to Snapchat+ to access My AI. It’s one of the several perks that you get with the subscription. Other perks include custom app icons, the ability to designate a user as a BFF, changeable chat backgrounds, and more.
If you’re looking to get Snapchat+, it costs $3.99/month. Getting a yearly subscription will cost you $39.99/year. However, Snapchat will eventually make this feature available to all users. To learn more about Snapchat+, click here.
To access the chatbot, just go to your chats. My AI will be pinned to the top of your conversations. Just tap on the conversation and you’ll be able to start typing.
What can you do with My AI?
So, since My AI is powered by ChatGPT, you know that it can do an absolute ton of stuff. Here’s a rundown of the core things that it can do.
Basic conversation
This might be what My AI is mostly marketed for. So, My AI will wear the mask of a human user. When you’re using it, you’ll see an avatar and everything. Also, all of its replies will show up in chat bubbles. So, it’s supposed to feel like you’re talking to a human being.
As such, you’re able to start and carry on a conversation about most subjects. You can talk about anything from your day to the loss of a loved one. You can talk about your crush or a party that you’re setting up. The AI will try its darndest to give you helpful and natural responses.
Advice
So, you’re not in the mood for conversation, but you want some advice on something. You can ask for advice on most subjects. Once you pose the question, it will give you a clear and concise response much like ChatGPT. Just type “I want advice on” and say what it is. Within a few seconds, you’ll see a chat bubble pop up with the advice you need.
Encyclopedia knowledge
You can use My AI as your personal encyclopedia. All you have to do is type in a question like “How far is the earth from the sun?” or “What is a rhino’s horn made of?”. It will give you the answer right then and there.
Written content
Just like with ChatGPT, you’re able to create written content. Obviously, it’s recommended that you attempt to create your own content. However, you have the ability to generate bits of written content like poems, stories, scripts, articles, eulogies, speeches, etc. Unlike ChatGPT, you can not generate full novels.
Responses can comfortably be 2000 words long, but striving for anything longer, you run the risk of getting an error message. So, you’re good with short stories and shorter content altogether.
If you have a specific word count in mind, you’ll just have to say “Write me an “X” word [whatever content you want written] about…” For example: Write me a 1000-word article about the problems with the LG G7.
Code for apps
This is one of the main things that grabbed people’s attention with ChatGPT. You’re able to generate sections of Python script that you’re able to insert into your code. Just know that it’s not able to generate an entire app. It can generate small sections of code.
You’ll want to be careful about the formatting. You can copy the text from the message, but you might have to adjust the formatting when you paste it into your code.
Recipes
This is a fun one. You’re able to generate recipes for different dishes using My AI. It will tell you all of the ingredients first and then tell you the process of cooking it. What’s neat is that you talk back and forth with the bot to make the right dish for you.
Say, you get a recipe for tacos. You can reply with something like “let’s make them spicy” and you’ll get a revised recipe with an added spicy ingredient. Speak to it as though you’re speaking to a human being.
Respond with things like your likes, dislikes, what kind of things you want to add or take away, etc.
Does it have access to my location?
Yes and no. It depends on the situation. If you’ve never shared your location with Snapchat in the past, then My AI can’t. However, if you have shared your location with the app, then My AI can access your location.
Even if your location is currently disabled, if you gave the app your location at some point in the past, then My AI will have access to it. Your location data is most likely saved on Snapchat’s servers. So, My AI it probably tapping into that.
What are the limitations?
So, since My AI is riding on the back of the Boeing 747 that is ChatGPT, it can do a lot. However, everything has its limits. There are things that you’re not able to do with My AI.
Earlier in the article, I mentioned that you can generate stories and get advice on most subjects. Well, you’re not able to get responses that deal with the act of sex. So, you won’t be able to generate stories or get advice about any explicit activities. However, I emulated a conversation and used this line: So, the subject of… you know what… came up.
My AI didn’t outright avoid responding. It said, “I understand, and it’s a natural and important topic of discussion in any romantic relationship…” So, it understood what “You know what” meant, and it also offered constructive advice.
You also can’t generate content dealing with violence or get advice on prescription medication.
How does it compare to ChatGPT?
This is a pretty important question. While My AI uses ChatGPT, it’s not an exact copy. There are some minor differences between both chatbots.
For starters, there’s a major difference in the speed at which you get your responses. With ChatGPT, you’ll see the response gradually type itself out. However, with My AI, you’ll see the response pop up as a chat bubble, and it’s exponentially faster. Most responses are almost instantaneous.
While that’s a win for My AI, ChatGPT was able to stick to the topic at hand better than My AI. I started a conversation about the loss of a pet. ChatGPT was able to remember details about the pet, the name of the tribute I said I was going to write for the pet when it died, and other details when the conversation strayed far from the core subject.
My AI was able to stick with the conversation pretty well. I emulated the same conversation and My AI wasn’t able to hold onto details as well. I asked it questions about the pet down the road, and it forgot what we were talking about altogether.
Can I get rid of My AI
No, you can not. If you’re a non-paying user, then My AI will remain pinned to the top of your conversations. However, if you’re subscribed to Snapchat+, then you’ll be able to unpin the chatbot from your feed.
Why use My AI?
My AI is perfect for short-term conversations. If you need a result within a few messages, then you won’t see any issues. You’ll just need to be careful about where you’re steering the conversation. It won’t be hard to knock My AI off of the subject and onto a different one. Despite that, it’s an excellent alternative to ChatGPT if you want to use your phone.