Meta brings AI tools to 21 new countries, expanding global reach

Meta expands AI features globally: Meta has announced the expansion of its AI features, including a chatbot and image generation Studio, to 21 additional countries, significantly broadening its international reach.

Geographical expansion details: The rollout of Meta AI encompasses a diverse range of countries across multiple continents, reflecting the company’s commitment to global accessibility.

• Countries newly gaining access include Brazil, Bolivia, Guatemala, Paraguay, Philippines, and the United Kingdom, among others in Latin America and Asia.
• Meta plans to extend availability to Middle Eastern countries in the coming weeks.
• Following this expansion, Meta AI will be accessible in 43 countries and support a dozen languages.

Feature availability and integration: Meta’s AI capabilities are being integrated across various platforms and devices, enhancing user experience and accessibility.

• Users can access Meta AI independently through web browsers or via Meta’s popular apps such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
• The AI chatbot can be used for conversations, searches, and generating recommendations for places to visit.
• Meta AI Studio allows users to create images based on text inputs.
• The company is also extending AI functionality to Ray-Ban smart glasses for users in the UK and Australia.

User adoption and market position: Meta claims significant traction for its AI assistant, positioning it as a leader in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

• The company reports that Meta AI is “on track” to become the world’s most used assistant, with nearly 500 million active monthly users.
• This substantial user base underscores the growing importance of AI assistants in daily digital interactions.

Regional challenges and regulatory concerns: Despite the broad expansion, Meta faces obstacles in certain regions, particularly in the European Union, due to regulatory considerations.

• Meta continues to withhold the launch of its latest AI model in EU countries, citing concerns over local regulations that might necessitate unwanted changes.
• This cautious approach mirrors that of other tech giants like Apple, which has also delayed the launch of its AI features in the EU.

Broader implications for AI adoption: Meta’s expansion of AI features reflects the growing trend of integrating artificial intelligence into mainstream consumer technology.

• The inclusion of AI in popular social media platforms and smart devices indicates a shift towards more personalized and intelligent user experiences.
• However, the disparity in availability between regions highlights the complex interplay between technological advancement and regulatory frameworks, potentially leading to uneven global access to AI technologies.