But it was, I’ve no doubt, in part to suggest we were bad hunters. “You can’t, I’ll have to”.
Where am I going with this? That not all surprises are good surprises, especially if the intent is ambiguous, the delivery very poor, and the actual ‘thing’ unwelcome.
Enter stage left Meta’s recent addition of its AI chatbot, in the form of a wheel icon, in the corner of your WhatsApp.
Why the fuss?
It’s naturally caused “a bit of a stir” and in my mind there are a couple of main reasons behind this:
- the manner it’s appeared
- the expectation it’ll be welcomed with open arms
- the presumption people understand what to do with it
Let’s start with the manner. Not only was it uninvited, it also arrived out of the blue – and on a platform that is inherently personal, “yours”, and private. In addition, despite what Meta has said, you can’t get rid of its AI on WhatsApp. It’s like the smell of fried fish. Only forever.
To the second point, its arrival ignores the issue that not everyone likes, welcomes, and is excited to use AI (in general, let alone in a messaging app fundamentally ‘personal’ for many users). My mum loves WhatsApp – it’s become an important way for her to chat to us, share the days out she and my Dad have together (and tell her kids to stop sending stupid gifs).
Tech geeks are the minority
Meta ignored this. AI is (for many outside of our tech bubble), still an unknown entity amid a media narrative laden with doom about it bringing about our ultimate demise as a civilisation.
It’s not explicitly ubiquitous to the average consumer and there’s nerves and fear about the technology – it’s created AI neophobia. Rocking up unannounced on WhatsApp exacerbates this nervousness. It certainly doesn’t foster positivity.
Finally, what to do with an AI messaging chatbot. Ask it questions, ask for recommendations, ask it to generate images. All good things. But (again) for those outside of the tech-savvy, it’s an unknown entity that we’re told shares everything you give it outside the safety of WhatsApp. My mum worried it was a security risk and shares personal photos from WhatsApp to hackers and the nefarious hoardes.
Why is Meta’s AI chatbot on WhatsApp controversial?
If – a big if – it had been offered as an opt-in (rather than a you-can’t-opt-out), with an explainer of the benefits and the safety aspects, as well as how to use it then the furore wouldn’t have happened. The conversation would perhaps have shifted from “can I remove Meta’s AI from WhatsApp?” to “how can I add Meta’s AI to WhatsApp?”.
It would have felt less intrusive and something those who wanted it could benefit from, rather than something those for whom it was forced upon to get anxious (and annoyed) about.
I’m using it – despite initially reacting like a farmer shouting to get off his land. And I’m sure I’ll love it and it’ll be second nature.
But I’m not everyone – and for many it will just become ‘that annoying AI WhatsApp icon’. By applying a broadbrush and presuming all users think alike, and ignoring the best route to communicating a new product, what should be an exciting innovation has arrived tarnished.
