Meta AI, the AI assistant introduced by Meta in September last year, is now being integrated more deeply into the company's suite of apps, including Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The assistant, which was initially available in messaging inboxes, will now also appear directly in the main Facebook feed and the search box of these apps. Additionally, Meta AI is now accessible via a standalone website at Meta.ai.
Meta AI is now powered by the company's newly released Llama 3 model. The company says it is the most intelligent AI assistant available for free. Meta AI's capabilities span a wide range, from helping users plan dinner based on what's in their fridge to assisting with studying for tests.
Chris McKay
One of the key advantages of Meta AI's integration across Meta's apps is that users can access the assistant's capabilities without having to leave the app they're using. For example, when planning a ski trip in a Messenger group chat, users can ask Meta AI to find flights and determine the least crowded weekends, all within the Messenger app itself.
The company is also integrating Meta AI into the Facebook feed. Users can now ask the assistant for more information about posts they come across while scrolling. For instance, if a user sees a photo of the northern lights in Iceland, they can ask Meta AI about the best time of year to view this phenomenon.
Meta AI's image generation capabilities have also been enhanced. The 'Imagine' feature, which creates images from text descriptions, now works in real-time. As users type their description, they can see the image evolve with each letter, allowing them to watch as Meta AI brings their vision to life. This feature is currently being rolled out in beta on WhatsApp and the Meta AI web experience in the US.
The generated images are now sharper and of higher quality, with an improved ability to incorporate text. Meta suggests a wide range of potential uses for this feature, from creating album artwork and wedding signage to generating birthday decor and outfit inspiration.
In addition to generating static images, Meta AI can now also animate images, iterate on them in new styles, or turn them into GIFs that can be shared with friends.
The assistant is also being rolled out in English in over a dozen countries outside of the US, including Australia, Canada, Ghana, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.