Snapchat adds live location sharing and ChatGPT integration for all users

During its Snap Summit event today, the company announced that it will be making its "My AI" chatbot available to all users, introducing additional features to Snapchat Stories, and presenting several other updates.

Snapchat launched the “My AI” chatbot feature earlier this year in February. Initially, it was only available to Snapchat Plus subscribers. The feature is powered by OpenAI's ChatGPT technology and offers a range of chatbot features that can be accessed directly within the Snapchat app.

“My AI” is highly customizable and can do a number of things. For instance, users can personalize their AI by choosing one of thousands of unique Bitmoji variations, and give it a name. It can also be brought into group conversations with friends, and users can ask it to suggest weekend activities for their family or the perfect Lens recommendation to wish a friend a happy birthday. Additionally, users can share their Snaps with My AI and receive a chat reply.

Snapchat has announced that “My AI” is now available to all Snapchat users. However, there is one feature that remains exclusive to Snapchat Plus subscribers. Soon, they will be able to Snap My AI and receive a unique generative Snap that keeps the visual conversation going.

Snapchat has also introduced new features to its Stories platform. The platform now includes a new “After Dark” option, support for public “Flashback” posts, and Communities. The “After Dark” option allows users to create a new type of Story that shows what they're up to when they're up late studying or hanging out. The story unfolds the following morning, enabling users to debrief on the night.

Communities, on the other hand, allows users to share their perspective with classmates. Throughout the month, Snapchat will be rolling out Communities to additional schools. Additionally, Snapchat now enables users to relive the moments made up of their favorite Snaps that they’ve saved together, by incorporating flashback posts from Snapchat Memories into their conversations with friends.

Snapchat’s location sharing feature, Snap Map, is also getting a boost with support for sharing “Live Location” with friends. The update expands on the previous set time period for location sharing with indefinite, background live location sharing. This feature is a direct competitor to Apple's Find My platform.

Snap Map is also introducing new 3D elements for the map interface, as well as improvements to suggested places to visit and additional Bitmoji customization options. Overall, these updates to Snapchat's features and functionalities aim to enhance the user experience and offer new ways for users to connect with each other.