Meta AI Debuts In France After Long Standoff

Meta’s artificial intelligence is finally available in Europe after a long standoff with regulators. Meta AI, already integrated into the group’s applications in the United States, is gradually rolling out in France and 40 other European countries. It is now integrated into WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, profoundly changing the interaction of users with the platforms of Mark Zuckerberg’s group.

A long-awaited launch after months of blockage

The conversational AI of Meta was born in the United States in September 2023 before being extended in April 2024 to all the group’s applications. However, its arrival in Europe was delayed due to regulatory requirements from the European Union. Meta criticized a legislative framework deemed too complex and inconsistent, particularly regarding data protection (GDPR) and regulation of digital markets.

After several negotiations, the company finally succeeded in adapting Meta AI to European requirements, particularly ensuring that it would not be trained on data from European users.

How does Meta AI work on Meta applications ?

Meta AI works integratively with the group’s applications, facilitating access to its features:

• On WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and Facebook, a blue icon allows invoking the assistant in a private conversation or a group ;
• On WhatsApp, it is also possible to interact with Meta AI by typing @MetaAI followed by your request ;
• The assistant can answer questions, provide suggestions, or delve into current topics using online search engines ;
• It is also expected to generate images soon, but this functionality is not yet available in Europe.

Unlike the early versions considered, Meta AI does not include celebrity avatars such as Kendall Jenner or Snoop Dogg, a project ultimately abandoned in 2024.

An AI assistant aiming for a billion users

Currently, Meta AI claims 700 million monthly users and aims to surpass a billion by the end of 2025. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Meta, is convinced that his AI could dominate the market for intelligent assistants against ChatGPT (OpenAI), Gemini (Google), and Claude (Anthropic).

To achieve this, Meta is investing massively: between 60 and 65 billion dollars in 2025 in its infrastructure, particularly data centers and servers dedicated to AI.

What are the stakes for Meta in Europe?

The arrival of Meta AI in Europe marks a victory for Meta, which positions itself as an essential player in consumer artificial intelligence. The challenge is to establish itself in users’ daily lives, providing them with an assistant capable of instantly responding to their needs without leaving their favorite applications.

However, the issue of data privacy remains pending. Meta has assured that the data of European users would not be used to train its AI, but European regulators are closely monitoring its deployment.

Could Meta AI really establish itself in Europe as the reference assistant? Its adoption by the general public and the management of data protection issues will be decisive for its success on the Old Continent.