Here's Why I Refuse to Use Meta AI on Any Meta Platform

Summary

• I prefer current AI tools and find Meta AI limited and unreliable.
• I have privacy concerns and skepticism about Meta's data practices.
• I worry about compromising my friends' privacy in group chats.

Meta's integration of AI features across its platforms seems like the ultimate move for making AI accessible to billions worldwide. However, despite the hype surrounding these new features, I've made a conscious decision to steer clear of Meta AI. Let me explain why.

1 I Already Use Other AI Tools

First, I'm comfortable with the AI tools I currently use. From Claude AI for text generation and problem-solving to DALL-E for image generation, I have a robust toolkit at my disposal. These tools have proven their worth time and time again, and I've invested some effort in learning their nuances and capabilities.

Switching to a new AI platform would require relearning processes, adjusting to different interfaces, and potentially compromising on features I've come to rely on.

2 It Has Limited Capabilities

Meta AI's current offerings are primarily focused on text and image generation. While these are useful features, they don’t hold a candle to the AI implementations we're seeing on Snapchat. Snapchat’s AI features include dynamic lenses that can transform your appearance in real time, AI-generated chat backgrounds, and even the ability to create stylized images with your photo.

The contrast is stark. While Meta AI is offering what essentially amounts to a basic chatbot and image generator, other platforms are pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI on social media platforms. This limited scope makes Meta AI feel like a "me too" feature rather than an innovative leap forward.

It also doesn't help that I've heard from people who've experimented with Meta AI that its reliability and output quality are often questionable. For instance, users have reported that when it comes to image generation, Meta AI struggles to accurately incorporate different art styles, often producing results that feel generic or off-target.

Similarly, in terms of text generation and information provision, there have been instances where Meta AI's answers weren't entirely accurate. No AI tool is always accurate. However, this is one of those cases where I'd rather stick with the devil I know.

3 Good Old Skepticism

My reluctance to embrace Meta AI isn't just about its features (or lack thereof). It's also rooted in a healthy dose of skepticism, particularly regarding Meta's history with user data.

Meta, formerly Facebook, has a checkered past when it comes to protecting user privacy. From the Cambridge Analytica scandal to numerous data breaches, the company's track record doesn't inspire confidence. As someone who values their privacy, I'm hesitant to feed more of my data into Meta's systems.

Moreover, I'm particularly concerned about how my interactions with Meta AI might be used. Will my chats become training data for future iterations of the AI? Will my queries be used to build a more detailed profile of me for advertising purposes? These questions make me uncomfortable, especially given Meta's primary business model revolves around monetizing user data.

4 I Don't Want to Risk Compromising Friends' Privacy in Group Chats

My privacy concerns extend beyond just my own data. As someone who frequently uses group chats, I'm wary of how Meta AI's presence in these conversations might impact the privacy of my friends and family.

When I use AI in a personal context, I'm making a conscious choice about what information I share. However, in a group chat setting, invoking AI could potentially expose the conversations and data of others who haven't consented to this. It's not just about my privacy anymore; it's about respecting the privacy of everyone in my social circle.

Meta may need to rethink its AI implementation strategy before it would be worth using for me. A chatbot within my chats isn’t a good enough proposition. Meta AI, in its current state, feels more like a Perplexity competitor than a well-thought-out AI application from a social media company of Meta's repute.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has given a number of interviews where he spoke of an "AI Studio" feature. Hopefully, it comes with fun AI features that make users want to use it. I’d much rather create AI avatars from photos I was going to upload anyway than feed an AI tool my thoughts on social media.