Facebook’s Chat App Is Getting New A.I. Features

  • Thread starter Thread starter Evo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    App Chat
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the introduction of new AI features in Facebook's Messenger chat app, specifically a virtual assistant that suggests responses based on conversations. Participants express their concerns and opinions regarding the implications of such technology on personal autonomy and convenience.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express discomfort with the idea of AI suggestions in conversations, viewing it as an intrusion into personal life and questioning the need for such technology.
  • Others argue that the AI features are simply an additional interface that can enhance convenience, suggesting that automation does not inherently lead to laziness.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for optional features to become mandatory over time, with participants reflecting on their own experiences with technology.
  • Some participants highlight that using such technologies is voluntary, and they do not see them as intrusions if chosen freely.
  • A participant shares their personal approach to maintaining physical activity despite technology, emphasizing a balance between convenience and personal effort.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the value and implications of the new AI features, with some viewing them as beneficial and others as detrimental. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing views present.

Contextual Notes

Participants' opinions are influenced by their personal experiences with technology and automation, leading to varied interpretations of convenience versus dependency.

Evo
Staff Emeritus
Messages
24,114
Reaction score
3,277
This upsets me

Facebook will soon start weighing in on your conversations. The social media giant announced Thursday that it's bringing a virtual assistant to its Messenger chat app that aims to make helpful suggestions based on your exchanges.

No Thanks!

My friend and I that had been forced to go to FB chat when Yahoo IM was killed started noticing weird things liked words underlined that led to unwanted hyperlinks. And "Start Plan" would pop up in blue.

He found this article. http://time.com/4728052/facebook-messenger-m-digital-assistant-aide/

Yet another intrusion, another way to lose control over your life.

It says you will have the option to turn off the suggestions, I sure hope so. What is happening to people? Are we so incompetent that we can't handle our lives anymore? I see these "things" they sell that you set in your room and ask it questions, or ask it to turn lights on and off, because we are too lazy to get up and switch off a light or look something up. If you are paralyzed, they are great. If you aren't, get up, move, do things for yourself. Heaven forbid we should have to move or learn how to look up information. I mean, is googling something on the internet so hard that we now need something to google for us?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: phinds
Computer science news on Phys.org
Evo said:
is googling something on the internet so hard that we now need something to google for us?
Let me Google that for you has been around for a while already. They just took out the middleman. Nothing to worry about. I'm sure that they won't write any apps that will have conversations with your friends for you. :olduhh:
 
Borg said:
I'm sure that they won't write any apps that will have conversations with your friends for you. :olduhh:
But Firefox might.....
popc1.gif
 
Evo said:
This upsets me
No Thanks!

My friend and I that had been forced to go to FB chat when Yahoo IM was killed started noticing weird things liked words underlined that led to unwanted hyperlinks. And "Start Plan" would pop up in blue.

He found this article. http://time.com/4728052/facebook-messenger-m-digital-assistant-aide/

Yet another intrusion, another way to lose control over your life.

It says you will have the option to turn off the suggestions, I sure hope so. What is happening to people? Are we so incompetent that we can't handle our lives anymore? I see these "things" they sell that you set in your room and ask it questions, or ask it to turn lights on and off, because we are too lazy to get up and switch off a light or look something up. If you are paralyzed, they are great. If you aren't, get up, move, do things for yourself. Heaven forbid we should have to move or learn how to look up information. I mean, is googling something on the internet so hard that we now need something to google for us?

It's just an additional interface and a very helpful one at that. "I think life is already too convenient" is a losing argument and has been for hundreds of years.
 
DavidSnider said:
It's just an additional interface and a very helpful one at that. "I think life is already too convenient" is a losing argument and has been for hundreds of years.
To each his own. I see it as an unwanted intrusion into my life and another way of making people lazier and more dependent on machines for things that they could easily do. I guess you like that kind of thing. Not passing judgement, I'm sure many people like that kind of thing.

Now, if it could run down to the corner and pick up a hamburger for me, I'd be all for it! :biggrin:
 
Evo said:
To each his own. I see it as an unwanted intrusion into my life and another way of making people lazier and more dependent on machines for things that they could easily do. I guess you like that kind of thing. Not passing judgement, I'm sure many people like that kind of thing.

Nobody forces you to get siri or google home or even facebook. They aren't intrusions. You voluntarily sign up for them.

Automation doesn't automatically mean lazy. It means you want to spend your time doing something else. Maybe you enjoy walking across the room flipping light switches. I can't imagine why.
 
DavidSnider said:
Nobody forces you to get siri or google home or even facebook. They aren't intrusions. You voluntarily sign up for them.

Automation doesn't automatically mean lazy. It means you want to spend your time doing something else. Maybe you enjoy walking across the room flipping light switches. I can't imagine why.
Well, I only switched to FB because Yahoo Messenger was cancelled, so the only other instant messenger that we all used was FB, so I grudgingly starting using the FB chat feature. It was not because I used FB.

I do get up and switch lights off and on, and I do park far away from the front door of buildings so that I have to walk longer. I take stairs instead of using the elevator or escalator unless it's a very high story I need to go to. I do often walk to the stores that are within 2 miles, I bought a little wagon to carry my items. And this is even though I have a spinal injury and often have to sit on the sidewalk and rest due to the pain.

Like I said, I'm not judging people that want to use these things, but I often find that what starts out as an "option" soon becomes the only way. I hope that this does not become the case.
 
Evo said:
Well, I only switched to FB because Yahoo Messenger was cancelled, so the only other instant messenger that we all used was FB, so I grudgingly starting using the FB chat feature. It was not because I used FB.

I do get up and switch lights off and on, and i do park far away from the front door of buildings so that I have to walk longer. I take stairs instead of using the elevator or escalator unless it's a very high story I need to go to.

That's great. I deleted facebook 2 months ago and I run a 5k every evening and also use Google Home to turn the lights off at night ;)
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Evo
DavidSnider said:
That's great. I deleted facebook 2 months ago and I run a 5k every evening and also use Google Home to turn the lights off at night ;)
And you know that I love you. I still burst into tears over what you did for me. Now, If I could make him walk...down to the hamburger joint and place orders...
 
  • #10
Evo said:
And you know that I love you. I still burst into tears over what you did for me. Now, If I could make him walk...down to the hamburger joint and place orders...

Love you too evo. La grenouille magique needs to learn that spell.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
5K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
4K
Replies
10
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
8K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
7K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Replies
17
Views
6K