Meta is launching its AI assistant across 41 European countries, which includes all members of the European Union, starting this week. Additionally, the rollout will extend to 21 overseas European territories. In its official announcement, Meta explained that the timeline for making its AI technology available in Europe has been extended due to the need to “navigate its complex regulatory system.” This careful approach underscores the company’s commitment to compliance while ensuring that European users can benefit from advanced AI capabilities.

Initially, Meta had aimed to introduce its AI technology to the European market last year. However, plans were delayed when the Irish Data Protection Commission requested that Meta pause the training of its Large Language Models on content posted by adult users on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Following this request, Meta decided against releasing its innovative multimodal Llama models in the region, citing the “unpredictable nature of the European regulatory environment” as a significant concern.

The European rollout of Meta’s AI will commence with its integration into popular messaging applications, including Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Users will soon notice a distinctive blue circle on these platforms, indicating the presence of the AI assistant. Initially available in six regional languages, this AI will have limited functionality focused on text-based queries. However, Meta envisions expanding its AI offerings over time, aiming to achieve a level of service comparable to what users in the US currently experience.

European users will have the ability to interact with the Meta AI in group chats by typing @MetaAI followed by their prompt or question. This will allow users to utilize the chatbot to discover relevant posts and Reels by entering specific queries, such as “show me Vancouver Island content.” Furthermore, users can also search for information from across the web directly within the chatbot, enhancing their overall experience and accessibility to information.