Meta AI tools come to UK for first time
9 October 2024, 16:04
The firm’s own AI chatbot will accessible to UK users inside Facebook and Instagram initially.
Meta’s generative AI tools, including a chatbot which can be used across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, are now beginning to roll out in the UK, the tech giant has confirmed.
First launched last year, Meta AI allows users to ask questions using text, voice or images to get more information, creative assistance or inspiration, and edit or generate new images.
The tools have already launched in the US, but not yet reached the UK or EU because of concerns raised by regulators over Meta’s plans to train the AI models it uses to run its tools using public posts from users of its platforms.
However, the tech giant confirmed last month that it had reached an agreement on the issue with the UK’s data protection regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and that it would start training its models on posts from UK users who do not raise an objection to their data being used.
At the time, Sir Nick Clegg – the former deputy prime minister who is now president of global affairs at Meta – said the move meant Meta AI tools could be introduced in the UK “much sooner”.
In a blog post announcing the UK rollout, Meta confirmed the technology will also be coming to its Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses, as well as to a number of other countries in Latin America, the Middle East and Asia either immediately or in the coming months.
In the UK, the tools will initially be available inside Facebook and Instagram.
There was, however, still no word on an EU rollout, where the company remains in deadlock with regulators.
“We’re sharing our plan to open up access to Meta AI in more countries and languages throughout the rest of the year,” Meta said.
“We’ll be rolling out Meta AI to 21 new locales around the world, starting today with the United Kingdom, Brazil and more countries in Latin America and Asia.
“It’s coming soon to the Middle East for the first time, too.
“This will help people get answers to their questions, brainstorm content, and bring their ideas to life in places where they can easily share the results with their local network and our broader global community.
“Meta AI is conveniently located in the apps you know and love, like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. Just tap on the Meta AI icon or type ‘@Meta AI’ in a group chat to use it with friends.
“You can even use it on the web at meta.ai.”
The technology giant has hoped to place itself at the centre of the AI arms race by quickly introducing its tools across its popular social media platforms to users free of charge, with the aim of establishing itself as the most popular AI chatbot firm, taking on the likes of ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.
“Following this gradual rollout, Meta AI will be available in 43 countries and a dozen languages,” Meta said.
“That means more people than ever will be able to use Meta AI to dive deep on topics that spark their interest, get helpful how-tos and find inspiration for art projects, home decor, OOTDs (outfit of the day) and more.
“In fact, Meta AI is already on track to become the most used AI assistant in the world by the end of the year with almost 500 million active users monthly.”
