Welcome to the forefront of conversational AI as we explore the fascinating world of AI chatbots in our dedicated blog series. Discover the latest advancements, applications, and strategies that propel the evolution of chatbot technology. From enhancing customer interactions to streamlining business processes, these articles delve into the innovative ways artificial intelligence is shaping the landscape of automated conversational agents. Whether you’re a business owner, developer, or simply intrigued by the future of interactive technology, join us on this journey to unravel the transformative power and endless possibilities of AI chatbots.
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Topic:Social Media
Sat 11 Jul 2026 at 1:37pm
A demonstration of an Instagram user trialling Meta's new AI feature, which has since been discontinued. (Supplied: Meta)
Social media giant Meta says it is discontinuing an AI feature launched this week, after drawing widespread criticism.
The automatic feature, integrated into its Meta AI chatbot, let users edit generated images directly through sketches.
Hollywood union SAG-AFTRA has welcomed Meta's removal of the feature, calling it the "responsible thing to do".
Social media giant Meta says it is discontinuing an AI feature launched this week that allowed users to generate images using public Instagram accounts, after drawing widespread criticism over privacy concerns, including from Hollywood.
"Our intent was to provide a useful creative tool and to give people control over whether their public content could be referenced in this way," Meta said in a statement.
"We've heard the feedback that this feature missed the mark, so it's no longer available."
Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, had launched Muse Image on Tuesday, its first image-generation model from Meta Superintelligence Labs.
An account gained more than 500,000 followers by posting AI-generated pictures of Alicia.
The feature, integrated into its Meta AI chatbot, can use photos as input and lets users edit generated images directly through sketches.
The feature received backlash over privacy concerns and for being an automatic opt-in for users.
Emmy-winning actor Hannah Einbinder, known for TV series Hacks, criticised the feature on Instagram, saying it had been turned on automatically, and urged users to turn it off.
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors and other media professionals, also urged members and other Instagram users on Thursday to opt out of the feature.
"Anything other than a clear and conspicuous opt-in for these types of uses of Instagram users' images is unacceptable, and an utter miscalculation of public sentiment regarding the obvious dangers and harms inherent in such use," SAG-AFTRA said.
The new AI features were also rolled out to WhatsApp, as shown in these demonstration images. (Supplied: Meta )
SAG-AFTRA later welcomed Meta's removal of the feature.
"With the dangers of non-consensual digital replicas well known to all, a feature that encouraged that behaviour is unwise," a union spokesperson said.
"We appreciate its discontinuance. It is the responsible thing to do."
The reversal reflects increasing pressure on technology companies to give users clear control over how their publicly shared content is used by AI features.
Reuters
Sat 11 Jul 2026 at 1:37pm
Sat 11 Jul 2026 at 1:41pm
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