Meta AI chatbot now available in select countries

The artificial intelligence race challenges tech aficionados to adapt to this new tool and reap its benefits. This trend also affects tech firms outside AI.

These firms want to come up on top in this raging AI race. For example, Amazon, an eCommerce company, is now offering AI services.

Meta is the latest to throw its hat into the ring with the limited release of its AI chatbot. It is only available in select countries, but the social media firm promises to expand access soon.

What are the Meta AI chatbot’s features?

Meta AI chatbot works like OpenAI’s GPT-4. It generates text answers and images based on user prompts and online information.

What makes Meta AI different is it is free. In contrast, people must subscribe to ChatGPT Plus to use the latest OpenAI large language model, which costs $20 or roughly ₱1,152.

The Facebook company describes the bot as a personal assistant for various purposes. It gave the following examples to illustrate its features: 

• Planning a night out with friends? Ask Meta AI to recommend a restaurant with sunset views and vegan options. 
• Organizing a weekend getaway? Ask Meta AI to find concerts for Saturday night.
• Cramming for a test? Ask Meta AI to explain how hereditary traits work. 

The social media firm released a standalone website for the AI bot: meta.ai. However, it is only available in the following countries at the time of writing:

• Australia
• Canada
• Ghana
• Jamaica
• Malawi
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Meta AI chatbot is also available on Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This integration lets users access the bot without leaving these apps. 

For example, users may ask Meta AI to look for flights to Boracay while planning a trip with buddies. 

The AI can also provide more information about online posts. For example, users may ask about Indonesia’s Blue Fire Volcano if it appears in an Instagram post.

The chatbot’s Imagine feature generates images, similar to DALL-E and Midjourney. Head to meta.ai and then type “Imagine” followed by your desired photo.

For example, the demo page entered, “Imagine a soccer game on Mars,’ and it created the picture quickly.

The chatbot can also turn photos into GIFs to make them move. Upload an image or generate a new one, then enter the word, “Animate.”