Meta has announced the rollout of its AI chat function, Meta AI, across Italy and the European Union in the coming weeks. This feature will integrate into Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, supporting six European languages, including Italian.
The European launch faced delays due to regulatory concerns. In June 2024, the Irish Data Protection Commission halted the release because Meta intended to use EU users’ data from Facebook and Instagram to train its AI systems.
Meta stated that bringing its AI technology to Europe required more time than anticipated due to navigating a “complex legislative system.” The company emphasised that the tool is not trained on information from European users who utilize its applications.
Initially launched in the United States in 2023, Meta AI will now be available across 41 European countries, including EU members and 21 European overseas territories. Users can access the tool through a blue circle icon within the apps, enabling interactions such as brainstorming ideas, planning trips, or answering questions using web information. Additionally, users can integrate it into group chats by typing “@MetaAI” followed by their prompt or question.
The AI tool functions as a conversational assistant, providing users with an interactive experience. It offers text-based chat features, assisting users in various tasks by accessing information from the web without utilising first-party data from EU users.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in day-to-day life, including in an educational capacity.
