Meredith Whittaker, President of the secure messaging platform Signal, has cautioned users against developing excessive trust in artificial intelligence chatbots, warning that such systems should not be viewed as personal companions or reliable substitutes for human judgment.

Speaking during a recent interview on technology policy and digital privacy, Whittaker emphasized that AI chatbots are not conscious entities and should not be treated as friends. 

She argued that while these tools may provide useful assistance, users must remain aware that their responses are generated through data processing rather than genuine understanding or human experience.

Whittaker acknowledged making limited use of artificial intelligence applications for routine tasks such as document formatting.

However, she said she deliberately avoids relying on AI systems for deeper thinking, research, or decision-making, stressing the importance of maintaining independent reasoning and creativity.

Her comments also addressed growing industry predictions that AI assistants could soon handle complex personal activities, including online shopping and day-to-day planning. 

According to Whittaker, such capabilities would require users to grant extensive access to highly sensitive personal information and digital accounts.

She warned that allowing an AI assistant to manage communications, purchases, calendars, and personal data could create significant privacy risks. 

In her view, granting broad access across multiple platforms may expose users to vulnerabilities that conflict with the principles of secure and private communication.

Whittaker’s remarks add to the ongoing debate surrounding artificial intelligence, privacy, and digital security.

As technology companies continue to expand AI capabilities, experts remain divided on how to balance convenience and innovation with the protection of personal data and individual privacy.

Source: TechCrunch