Instagram AI Glitch Sparks Chaos in Friend Lists

A strange Instagram AI glitch on Saturday left users stunned as their entire contact lists were mysteriously labeled “AI.” The unexpected change confused millions, with many struggling to identify or message friends. The bug affected basic features and sparked widespread speculation about a possible upcoming AI rollout.

Users Wake Up to “AI” Everywhere

The glitch first gained attention on Reddit. Several users posted screenshots showing that every person in their Instagram contact list had been renamed “AI.” While profile pictures stayed the same, usernames were replaced, making friend identification nearly impossible.

Messaging, too, became difficult. Many users reported that they couldn’t share reels, posts, or even simple messages the usual way. As a workaround, they had to copy and paste links manually — a step back from Instagram’s typically smooth interface.

One frustrated Reddit user wrote, “I can’t find any of my friends. They’re all just called AI. This is ridiculous.” Others chimed in, calling the app “unusable” and asking for an immediate fix.

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Speculation Points to AI Feature Testing

Coinciding with the glitch, users also noticed a message within the app stating: “AI chats are not yet available to everyone.” This raised eyebrows, with many guessing that Meta — Instagram’s parent company — might be testing new AI-based features behind the scenes.

Observers speculated that the glitch may have been an unintended side effect of internal experiments with AI chat tools. While Meta hasn’t released a public statement confirming this theory, the timing fueled strong suspicions.

Tech analysts believe the platform could be testing AI assistants or enhancements that interact with friend lists or messaging features. If these features went live accidentally or partially, it could explain the mass relabeling of contacts.

Meta Remains Silent

Despite the uproar, Meta offered no official explanation as of Saturday. Users grew more impatient throughout the day, as the issue continued without resolution or clarification.

Many users questioned whether Instagram’s increasing reliance on AI was starting to affect its usability. Without transparency from the company, it was difficult to know if this was a temporary issue or the result of something larger in development.

Past Concerns Over AI Moderation

This isn’t the first time Instagram’s AI tools have caused trouble. In June 2025, users reported sudden account bans without warning or explanation. These bans were widely blamed on automated moderation systems that flagged content unfairly or misunderstood context.

That incident sparked debate about the platform’s growing dependence on AI — especially when used without human oversight. Critics argued that while AI can streamline content review, it can also overreach and disrupt user experience.

Saturday’s glitch has added new fuel to those concerns. If AI systems can suddenly overwrite friend names or disrupt messaging features, users fear what could happen next.

Expert Commentary

Software engineer Ethan Zhao from Palo Alto shared his thoughts on the matter. “When software companies push experimental features live — even by accident — it can cause widespread instability. It looks like Meta may be testing AI-powered integrations and underestimated the risks of pushing them to production environments.”

He added that issues like this highlight the need for “clear boundaries between experimental code and user-facing features,” especially on platforms as large as Instagram.

Users Demand Transparency

The glitch, though possibly short-lived, has left lasting frustration. Instagram users now want clearer communication from Meta. They’re asking for answers: Was this part of a new AI feature rollout? Was it a bug? Or a mix-up in code deployment?

In the absence of answers, users remain in limbo. For now, many have returned to older methods to find and message friends, while keeping an eye on Meta’s channels for updates.

As AI continues to integrate more deeply into everyday apps, users are calling for greater caution, oversight, and above all — transparency.