Bluesky's AI assistant, Attie, has sparked a heated reaction from the platform's userbase. The tool, which allows users to design their own social media algorithms and create custom feeds, has been met with resistance from users who are skeptical of AI's role in social media. About 125,000 users have already blocked Attie's account, making it the second most blocked account on the network, with only Vice President J.D. Vance's account receiving more blocks. This backlash is significant, given that Bluesky's userbase is hostile towards AI.
Bluesky's userbase has grown to 43 million accounts, largely as an alternative to Elon Musk's Twitter overhaul into X. For many users, Bluesky serves as a refuge from the mainstream social internet, where AI is omnipresent. The launch of Attie has been seen as a betrayal by some users, who feel that the platform is prioritizing AI over basic features that they need. This has led to criticism of Bluesky's product priorities, with some users noting that the platform is still missing features like the ability to send images via direct message.
Bluesky's perspective on the product launch is that it's not as offensive as it seems. The company believes that AI should serve people, not platforms, and that its proliferation is undermining human agency at a time when accurate information is needed more than ever. Attie's initial function is to build personalized custom feeds, but for Bluesky users, the anger towards Attie is about what it symbolizes: a surrender to the idea that AI's encroachment into everything is inevitable.
The backlash against Attie highlights the tension between users who want to control their social media experience and the increasing presence of AI in these platforms. This could be a turning point for Bluesky, which has positioned itself as an alternative to mainstream social media. If the company fails to address user concerns, it may struggle to maintain its userbase.
