Bluesky's new AI tool Attie is already the most blocked account other than J.D. Vance
Bluesky, a social media platform that has gained popularity as an alternative to Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), has recently launched an AI assistant named Attie. This new tool allows users to design their own social media algorithms and create custom feeds within Bluesky’s AT Protocol ecosystem. However, the response from the user base has been overwhelmingly negative, leading to significant backlash.
Attie’s Launch and Immediate Reception
Attie made its debut at the ATmosphere conference, a Bluesky-sponsored event, over the weekend. Despite the excitement surrounding the launch, approximately 125,000 users have already blocked Attie’s account, making it the second most blocked account on the platform. In stark contrast, Attie has only garnered around 1,500 followers. This means that about 83 times more users have chosen to block the account than follow it.
Comparison with Other Blocked Accounts
The only account with more blocks than Attie is that of Vice President J.D. Vance, which has approximately 180,000 blocks. Attie has even surpassed the official White House account, which has 122,000 blocks, and the ICE account, which has 112,460 blocks. This places Attie in a rather infamous category of accounts that users have chosen to block.
Bluesky’s User Base and Expectations
Bluesky has grown its user base to around 43 million accounts, primarily attracting users looking for a reprieve from the controversies and issues plaguing other social media platforms. Many users joined Bluesky to escape the prevalence of neo-Nazism, AI-generated content, and other negative aspects associated with X. Therefore, the introduction of an AI tool like Attie has felt like a betrayal to some users.
User Criticism and Feature Requests
In addition to blocking Attie, users have expressed their dissatisfaction with Bluesky’s product priorities. Critics have pointed out that the platform is still missing many basic features that users have been requesting, such as the ability to send images via direct messages. One user highlighted this issue, stating, “You still can’t send images in your Bluesky DMs.”
Bluesky’s Perspective on AI
From Bluesky’s viewpoint, the launch of Attie is not as problematic as it may seem. Jay Graber, the former CEO of Bluesky who has recently transitioned to the role of Chief Information Officer, wrote in a blog post that the company believes “AI should serve people, not platforms.” Graber emphasized the dual nature of AI, stating, “Right now, AI is undermining human agency at the same time it’s enhancing it.” He expressed concern about the proliferation of low-quality AI-generated content, which is making public social networks noisier and less trustworthy.
Attie’s Functionality and Purpose
Attie is designed to build personalized custom feeds based on user preferences. For example, a user might want a feed that includes “pictures of moss, posts about medieval ballads, deep lore about trees, herbs, and plants.” Graber argues that while there are certainly negative uses of AI, the technology also has the potential for positive applications that could benefit humanity.
AI and User Sentiment
Despite the potential benefits of Attie, many Bluesky users are upset not just about the tool itself but what it represents. The introduction of Attie symbolizes a concession to the idea that AI’s presence in social media is inevitable. This sentiment has fueled the backlash against the AI assistant, as users feel that the platform is abandoning its original ethos.
Conclusion
In summary, Bluesky’s new AI tool Attie has quickly become one of the most blocked accounts on the platform, reflecting a significant disconnect between the company’s vision and user expectations. As the social media landscape continues to evolve, the response to Attie serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding AI integration into social platforms.
Note: This article reflects the current sentiments and data surrounding Bluesky and its AI tool Attie as of March 30, 2026.
