Meta AI, the artificial intelligence from the company behind Facebook and Instagram, is launching in the UK amid a storm of controversy.
If you’re on either of those social media platforms, you will be able to start conversing with the AI chatbot from today (October 8).
Anyone who has used ChatGPT will know the drill: you can type or ask questions for the digital helper to answer, get help with work, pick its computer brain for recipes, and whip up weird and wacky images.
The bot’s arrival comes as Meta is facing growing pushback from users and privacy activists over its AI training policy. Last month, the company began notifying Brits that it would feed their social media data, including posts and photos, to the bot to make it smarter. The same goes for user interactions with the the AI.
Although users can opt out of the controversial data-sharing scheme, it’s not as simple as ticking a box. Instead, you’ll need to submit a form to Meta, providing valid reasons for why you don't want your data used – then wait to see if your request gets approved.
After launching the AI in the US several months ago, Meta was forced to delay its UK debut on the behest of the UK’s data watchdog. It only recently received the green light from the regulator, paving the way for its release.
The resulting outcry from users, who have been urging others to opt out on social media, has taken some of the shine off the AI. A similar backlash prompted LinkedIn to suspend the use of UK user data to train its AI, but Meta has shown no signs of backing down.
Despite the uproar, Meta claims its digital assistant is off to a flying start, with more than 500 million monthly active users. Naturally, it helps that it has a vast built-in audience of billions on Facebook and Instagram.
After filling out a convoluted and difficult to locate form to "opt out" my data from @Meta's AI training, I got a rejection email. The idea that they offered users a choice in how their data is used is an illusion. https://t.co/FbCjrnL3mx
— Sarah Andersen (@SarahCAndersen) July 5, 2024
What will Meta AI do on Facebook and Instagram?
You can summon the bot by pressing its dedicated button on those apps, which can be identified by its circular icon.
This being Meta, there’s also a social side to the AI: By typing “@Meta AI”, you and your friends can interact with it in group chats. This could be useful if you’re seeking inspiration for a night out, looking for that Instagram Reel your mates will love, or deciding what to stream next.
What can Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses do?
The bot won’t just be limited to Meta’s social apps, however. If you own a pair of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, you can now ask the AI to identify landmarks, get cooking instructions and set timers, and provide you with directions.
Until now, the specs have mainly been used for snapping and sharing pics and video, getting notifications from your phone, and listening to music. Meta will be hoping the infusion of AI puts them on the path to becoming the true smartphone replacement it has been promising.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently demonstrated how the glasses can help you find your car in a parking garage. Just don’t hack them to dox people on the street.
What are the alternatives?
The launch sees Meta entering a crowded field, home to rival tech giants and enterprising start-ups. Alongside OpenAI’s popular ChatGPT, users can pick from Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Snapchat’s My AI for work and play. Apple Intelligence, the AI software for the latest iPhones and Macs, is coming later this month.
Meta has made significant investments in developing its AI, which is based on its large language model known as Llama 3. Unlike its competitors, Meta has chosen to make this advanced system freely available to developers, encouraging them to build and expand upon it. Ultimately, the company hopes Llama will be the foundation for a multitude of apps and products from other firms, positioning itself at the heart of an expanding tech ecosystem.
