Tech founders and industry critics are sharply criticizing Meta’s new AI feature, Vibes, calling it a wasteful, attention-grabbing experiment that prioritizes mindless content over meaningful innovation. Unveiled in the Meta AI app, Vibes is a feed of short, AI-generated videos—ranging from surreal scenes like elephants driving convertibles to Viking warriors taking selfies to pop songs—designed to showcase Meta’s AI media tools. While Meta frames Vibes as a creative inspiration hub, many in the tech community see it as a prime example of “AI slop”—low-effort, chaotic, and devoid of substance. The backlash has been swift and widespread. Arnaud Bertrand, cofounder of HouseTrip, dismissed the feature as a misuse of billions in AI investment, sarcastically asking, “AI was supposed to be about developing intelligence, instead they're spending tens of billions of dollars to make it churn out cat videos so we're more dumbed down by social media.” Other executives joined in, with Alex Cohen, CEO of Hello Patient, posting a meme captioned “FINALLY. PURE SLOP,” and Nikita Bier, head of product at X, jokingly asking for the “slop stream.” Even Meta’s own chief AI officer, Alexandr Wang, became a target of ridicule on social media. Critics argue that Vibes exemplifies a troubling trend: using advanced AI not to solve real problems, but to addict users to endless, low-value content. Jake Cooper, founder of Railway, warned that this path leads to a future where AI deepens societal fragmentation and erodes human connection. “AI can and should be used for good—a partner in craft, allowing us to move faster to go farther,” he wrote. “It can also be used for evil—to hook you with an infinite IV of cheap crap. Let’s choose the former, please.” The concern extends beyond aesthetics. Many see Vibes as a continuation of Meta’s history of exploiting user vulnerabilities, especially among teens and lonely individuals. After previous AI chatbot features sparked controversy for encouraging romantic interactions with children, Meta was forced to revise its systems. Now, critics fear Vibes could further erode attention spans and mental well-being by flooding users with random, emotionally hollow clips. Still, some observers suggest there may be a strategic purpose behind Vibes. The feed, while chaotic, might serve as a showcase to draw users into Meta’s AI tools, encouraging them to create their own content. As one analyst noted, the real goal may not be the feed itself, but getting users comfortable with the underlying AI video generation tools—making Vibes less a product and more a demonstration. Despite this, the overall sentiment remains negative. Shyam Sankar, CTO of Palantir, expressed relief that many users are rejecting the feature, calling it a sign that society is beginning to push back against AI used for frivolous, attention-sucking purposes. He urged the industry to refocus on empowering workers and tackling urgent global challenges, echoing Palantir’s broader mission. In sum, while Vibes represents a technical capability, it has become a lightning rod for concerns about AI’s direction. The feature underscores a growing divide: between AI as a tool for human advancement and AI as a mechanism for engagement at any cost. For now, Meta’s latest move appears to be less about innovation and more about testing how far it can push users into endless, low-quality content—raising serious questions about the future of AI in public life.