Meta AI Launches in Europe Amid Regulatory Hurdles
Meta is finally bringing its AI assistant to Europe! Starting this week, users across 41 European countries, including the European Union, and 21 overseas territories will gain access to Meta AI. This expansion has been a long time coming, with Meta citing the complexities of European regulations as the primary reason for the delay.
Initially, Meta planned to launch its AI tech in Europe last year. However, the company had to pause its plans after the Irish Data Protection Commission requested a delay in training its Large Language Models (LLMs) on content from adult European users on Facebook and Instagram. This request was followed by Meta's announcement that it would not release its new multimodal Llama models in the region, citing the "unpredictable nature of the European regulatory environment."
Initial Rollout and Capabilities
The European rollout will begin with integrating Meta AI into popular messaging apps like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Users will notice a blue circle on the interface indicating the AI's presence. Initially, the AI will support six European languages and offer limited capabilities focused on text-based queries. Meta aims to expand the AI's features over time, eventually reaching "parity with the US."
How to Use Meta AI in Europe
European users can summon Meta AI in group chats by typing "@MetaAI" followed by their question or prompt. The AI can also surface relevant posts and Reels based on user queries, such as "show me Vancouver Island content." Furthermore, users can leverage the chatbot to search for information from across the web.
Source: Engadget