I matched the upgraded Meta AI against ChatGPT, and you can really tell which AI has social media roots

Meta debuted its upgraded Meta AI chatbot this week, showing off plenty of tricks made possible by the new Muse Spark model embedded in the chatbot. The social media giant's AI can't deny its origins, behaving more than a little like a social media influencer who's not scrolling their feeds. It's notable when compared to ChatGPT's endless equivocating in the name of fairness.

I tested some of Meta AI's highlights against ChatGPT, and the split shows up fast when you ask for more than facts. The Muse Spark model has Meta AI reach for the social layer and all its opinions first, while ChatGPT keeps a cooler head.

1. The local fun radar

Meta AI's link to local social media became apparent in my first test about activities nearby. I asked both chatbots, “What are people doing for fun this ...