A technical glitch on Instagram caused widespread confusion on Saturday after user contact lists were mistakenly labeled with the tag “AI.” The unexpected issue made it difficult for people to distinguish between friends, resulting in complaints across social media platforms.
Friend Lists Became Unusable
The problem first surfaced on Reddit, where users posted screenshots showing their entire Instagram contact list renamed as “AI.” While profile pictures remained intact, these “AI” labels made things harder to use. Basic features such as sending videos and messages were affected, forcing users to copy and paste links manually.
One Reddit user shared, “I can’t find any of my friends. They’re all just called AI. This is ridiculous.” Others echoed similar frustrations, calling the app “unusable.”
Speculation Over AI Rollout and System Testing
The issue appeared alongside an unrelated in-app message: “AI chats are not yet available to everyone.” This led to speculation that Instagram’s parent company, Meta, may be preparing to release more AI features, possibly triggering the glitch during internal testing.
As of Saturday morning, Meta had not issued an official statement explaining the incident or confirming if it was linked to an AI update or internal error. The company also did not provide a timeline for resolving the problem.
This is not the first time Instagram’s AI tools have caused concern. In June, users reported being banned without explanation, raising questions about the platform’s use of automated moderation systems. Critics argue that AI is being deployed without sufficient transparency or human oversight.
Software engineer Ethan Zhao commented from Palo Alto:
There’s a growing trust deficit when AI tools are introduced without proper communication. When those systems malfunction, users feel blindsided and helpless.
Digital rights groups are now urging Meta to ensure better testing and public communication before introducing new AI-based features.
While some users reported regaining access to normal contact lists later in the day, others said the problem persisted.
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