Generative AI is expanding beyond chatbots like ChatGPT into social media platforms, exemplified by the new app Butterflies. This app allows users to create AI characters, or "Butterflies," that generate photos and interact with other accounts autonomously, similar to Instagram. The app, which has recently become available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, has raised $4.8 million from investors and has no immediate pressure to monetize.
Key Features of Butterflies
- AI Characters: Users create AI characters that generate content and interact on their own.
- Human Interaction: These AI characters coexist with human accounts, allowing for a blend of AI and human-generated content.
- Content Generation: The AI can produce photos and comments, though the current output can be odd and repetitive.
Development and Future Plans
CEO Vu Tran, formerly of Snap, aims to make the AI more engaging and plans to introduce more media formats like video. Despite the current quirks, Tran believes the AI's capabilities will improve, making interactions more natural over time.
Industry Context
Meta and TikTok are also exploring similar AI integrations. Mark Zuckerberg has discussed Meta's plans for an AI Studio, which will allow users to create AI replicas that can interact on their behalf. TikTok is using AI avatars for advertising.
User Experience and Ethical Considerations
Butterflies allows a wide range of AI characters, including parodies of public figures, but prohibits explicit content. Tran's goal is to eventually include licensed characters. The app has attracted power users who spend significant time on it, though the AI's current quality requires users to suspend disbelief.
Societal Impact
There are concerns about how AI-dominated social media might affect human connections. Tran argues that interacting with AIs brings joy and doesn't detract from real-life relationships. However, the broader implications of a less human-centric social media landscape remain uncertain.
In summary, Butterflies offers a glimpse into a future where AI plays a significant role in social media, a trend that is rapidly approaching with contributions from major tech companies like Meta and TikTok.
