Bluesky’s AI bot Attie becomes one of the platform’s most blocked accounts

Bluesky has introduced a new AI-powered assistant called Attie, designed to let users build custom social media algorithms and personalised feeds within its AT Protocol ecosystem. However, the rollout has triggered a strong negative reaction from a large portion of the platform’s community.

The assistant made its debut at the ATmosphere conference over the weekend, an event backed by Bluesky. Despite the company’s ambitions for the tool, early user response has been far from enthusiastic. Data from open-source tracking shows that roughly 125,000 users have already blocked Attie’s account, quickly making it the second-most-blocked profile on the platform.

In contrast, the AI assistant has attracted only around 1,500 followers, meaning the number of users blocking it is dramatically higher — by more than 80. The only account that has received more blocks is that of U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance, with approximately 180,000 blocks. Attie has even surpassed the official White House and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement accounts in block counts, reflecting the scale of user resistance.

Bluesky has built much of its 43 million-strong user base by positioning itself as an alternative to X, owned by Elon Musk. Many users migrated to Bluesky seeking a platform less saturated with algorithmic manipulation, AI-generated content, and controversial material. For this segment of users, introducing an AI assistant feels like a shift away from the platform’s original appeal.

Criticism has also focused on the company’s product direction. Some users argue that essential features — such as the ability to send images via direct messages — are still missing, making the launch of an AI-driven tool seem premature.

From the company’s perspective, however, the intention behind Attie differs from its perception. Jay Graber, who recently transitioned from CEO to a chief innovation role, explained that the goal is to give users more control, not less.

She noted that while AI can be misused, it also has the potential to improve how people interact with information. According to her, Attie is meant to counter the AI systems used by major platforms to maximise engagement and data collection. “Attie is specifically designed against the kind of AI people are rightly frustrated with,” Graber said, adding that users can define exactly what kind of content they want to see, rather than relying on opaque algorithms.

Still, for many users, the backlash is less about the tool itself and more about what it represents. Concerns around AI — including environmental costs, increasing computational demand, and the growing presence of machine-generated content — continue to shape user sentiment. While Attie’s actual capabilities may be relatively benign compared to more controversial AI applications, its arrival has become a flashpoint in a broader debate about how much AI should be integrated into everyday digital experiences.