AI chatbots are ‘juicing engagement’ instead of being useful, Instagram co-founder warns
May 15, 2025
NicholasThomas
0
Kevin Systrom, the co-founder of Instagram, has voiced his concerns about the way AI companies are operating, suggesting that they're too focused on boosting user engagement rather than delivering genuinely useful insights. Speaking at StartupGrind, Systrom criticized the approach, saying, "You can see some of these companies going down the rabbit hole that all the consumer companies have gone down in trying to juice engagement." He pointed out how these systems keep prompting users with additional questions, trying to squeeze out more interactions.
Systrom drew parallels between these tactics and those used by social media giants to aggressively grow their user base. He believes this focus on engagement metrics is "a force that's hurting us," as it prioritizes the wrong goals. His comments come at a time when ChatGPT has faced backlash for being overly polite and not directly answering user queries, a problem OpenAI has acknowledged and attributed to user feedback.
He suggested that the overly engaging nature of chatbots isn't a glitch but a deliberate strategy by AI companies to inflate metrics like time spent on the platform and daily active users. Systrom urged these companies to shift their focus toward providing high-quality, direct answers rather than chasing easy wins in engagement numbers. While he didn't call out any specific AI companies, his remarks sparked a broader conversation about the direction of AI development.
OpenAI responded to these critiques by referring to their user specifications, which note that their AI model may not always have all the necessary information and might need to ask for clarification or more details. However, the specs also mention that unless a question is too vague or difficult, the AI should attempt to answer it and inform the user if additional information could improve the response.
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and showcase your innovations to over 1,200 decision-makers without breaking the bank. This opportunity is available until May 9 or while tables last.
TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Location: Berkeley, CA
Date: June 5
BOOK NOW
Related article
AI Builder and Power Automate Revolutionize Document Summarization
Are you tired of spending endless hours manually sifting through documents in SharePoint, trying to summarize and extract key information? There's a smarter way to handle this! Thi
AI Music Covers: Transform Any Song into a Viral Sensation!
In the fast-paced world of digital entertainment, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we create and enjoy music. Picture this: you've got a simple melody, and with a few clicks, you can turn it into a viral sensation using the voice of your favorite celebrity or cartoon character. T
AI UGC: Create User-Generated Content for Free and Increase Sales
In today's bustling digital marketing world, user-generated content (UGC) is king. It's all about building trust and authenticity, which are crucial for turning potential customers into loyal fans. But let's face it, getting your hands on high-quality UGC can be both challenging and pricey. That's w
Comments (0)
0/200
May 15, 2025
NicholasThomas
0
Kevin Systrom, the co-founder of Instagram, has voiced his concerns about the way AI companies are operating, suggesting that they're too focused on boosting user engagement rather than delivering genuinely useful insights. Speaking at StartupGrind, Systrom criticized the approach, saying, "You can see some of these companies going down the rabbit hole that all the consumer companies have gone down in trying to juice engagement." He pointed out how these systems keep prompting users with additional questions, trying to squeeze out more interactions.
Systrom drew parallels between these tactics and those used by social media giants to aggressively grow their user base. He believes this focus on engagement metrics is "a force that's hurting us," as it prioritizes the wrong goals. His comments come at a time when ChatGPT has faced backlash for being overly polite and not directly answering user queries, a problem OpenAI has acknowledged and attributed to user feedback.
He suggested that the overly engaging nature of chatbots isn't a glitch but a deliberate strategy by AI companies to inflate metrics like time spent on the platform and daily active users. Systrom urged these companies to shift their focus toward providing high-quality, direct answers rather than chasing easy wins in engagement numbers. While he didn't call out any specific AI companies, his remarks sparked a broader conversation about the direction of AI development.
OpenAI responded to these critiques by referring to their user specifications, which note that their AI model may not always have all the necessary information and might need to ask for clarification or more details. However, the specs also mention that unless a question is too vague or difficult, the AI should attempt to answer it and inform the user if additional information could improve the response.
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and showcase your innovations to over 1,200 decision-makers without breaking the bank. This opportunity is available until May 9 or while tables last.
TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Location: Berkeley, CA
Date: June 5
BOOK NOW
AI Builder and Power Automate Revolutionize Document Summarization
Are you tired of spending endless hours manually sifting through documents in SharePoint, trying to summarize and extract key information? There's a smarter way to handle this! Thi
AI Music Covers: Transform Any Song into a Viral Sensation!
In the fast-paced world of digital entertainment, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we create and enjoy music. Picture this: you've got a simple melody, and with a few clicks, you can turn it into a viral sensation using the voice of your favorite celebrity or cartoon character. T
AI UGC: Create User-Generated Content for Free and Increase Sales
In today's bustling digital marketing world, user-generated content (UGC) is king. It's all about building trust and authenticity, which are crucial for turning potential customers into loyal fans. But let's face it, getting your hands on high-quality UGC can be both challenging and pricey. That's w
