– Meta is testing its Meta AI chatbot with WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger users in India and parts of Africa
– Meta announced plans to build and experiment with chatbots and other AI tools in February 2023
– The availability of ChatGPT has generated significant interest and Meta is now focusing on AI tools to retain users, investors, and maintain its industry position
Meta is testing its Meta AI chatbot, powered by a large language model, with WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger users in India and parts of Africa. The move shows Meta’s intention to leverage its massive user bases across its apps to expand its AI offerings. The social media giant is racing to introduce more AI services following similar moves from other tech companies like OpenAI.
India, with over 500 million Facebook and WhatsApp users, is a crucial market for Meta. The company announced plans to develop chatbots and AI tools in February 2023, and users are beginning to notice the presence of Meta AI chatbot in their apps. Developing markets like Africa are also targets for Meta to engage audiences with new services.
Meta AI, a general-purpose assistant, was unveiled in September 2023 to answer user queries and generate photorealistic images from text prompts. The company is somewhat behind in rolling out AI tools compared to competitors like OpenAI. However, Meta is now moving forward with its AI strategy to enhance user retention, investor confidence, and to maintain its reputation as a tech leader.
By integrating Meta AI into popular platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, Meta can reach billions of users worldwide, potentially surpassing competitors in AI offerings. The company is also planning to launch Llama 3, the next version of its open-source large language model, within the next month. Overall, Meta’s focus on AI services aims to capitalize on the vast user base of its apps and stay ahead in the tech industry.