Meta AI Officially Launches in India: Available for Free on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger

Meta has officially launched its AI chatbot in India, making it available across its major platforms—WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. This move marks a significant expansion in Meta’s AI capabilities, following the initial introduction of Meta AI earlier this year. Let’s dive into the features and availability of Meta AI and how you can use it in India.

Namaste Meta AI: Welcome to India

Meta AI, built on the Llama 3 model developed in-house by Meta, is now accessible to Indian users. This AI chatbot is designed to handle a wide range of tasks, from answering general queries and solving puzzles to planning trips and writing code in popular programming languages. Meta AI can also generate content such as essays and recipes, making it a versatile tool for various needs.

How to Access Meta AI

Meta AI is integrated into several Meta-owned platforms:

WhatsApp: Available as a separate chat. Users can interact directly with Meta AI by starting a chat with it.

Instagram and Messenger: Accessible via the command ‘@MetaAI’ in a direct message (DM) conversation.

Facebook: Available on the home feed, where it can summarize long posts or provide additional information on topics in the timeline.

To use Meta AI, ensure that your apps are updated to the latest version on Android and iOS. Since the rollout is phased, it might take some time before the feature is available to all users.

Competing in the AI Chatbot Arena

Meta AI enters the competitive landscape of AI chatbots, standing alongside OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and others like Claude and Perplexity AI. However, Meta has a unique advantage due to its vast user base across its social media platforms, which gives it a significant edge over competitors.

Unlike other chatbots that may offer paid versions, Meta AI is currently free for all users, with no announced plans for a paid tier.

Meta AI in India: Rollout and Features

In a newsroom post, Meta announced the gradual rollout of its AI chatbot in India. Although the feature is starting to become available, it will take a few days to reach all users. The delayed launch is speculated to be related to the ongoing general elections in the country.

Upon full rollout, users will notice a blue-pink ring in the search bar of Meta apps, indicating the presence of Meta AI. Tapping on this ring will open a separate chat where users can converse with the AI, ask queries, or even generate images. On WhatsApp, the AI can be added to groups and tagged in messages to interact directly.

Meta AI also integrates web search capabilities, accessing both Google and Bing to provide comprehensive answers. It can recommend restaurants, assist with homework, plan trips, and generate various types of written content.

Enhanced User Experience on Facebook

While scrolling through posts on Facebook, users will see an “Ask Meta AI” icon on each post. Clicking this icon will prompt the AI to provide more information about the content, enhancing the user experience by offering deeper insights and context.

Conclusion

The launch of Meta AI in India represents a significant step in the evolution of AI chatbots, making advanced AI technology readily accessible to millions of users. With its wide range of capabilities and seamless integration across popular social media platforms, Meta AI is set to become a valuable tool for everyday use. As it rolls out across the country, users can look forward to a more interactive and informative digital experience.

Stay updated with the latest on Meta AI by following the official Meta platforms and keep an eye out for the new AI features in your favorite apps.