If you use Facebook, WhatsApp, or Instagram, you may have noticed a new feature: Meta AI, a chatbot designed to assist users by answering queries and providing information. According to Meta Platforms’ CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Meta AI is “the most intelligent AI assistant that you can freely use.”
Meta AI can recommend local restaurants, provide details on Facebook posts, search for airline flights, or generate images instantly. Users planning a night out with friends can invite Meta AI into group conversations by typing @MetaAI to get recommendations for places like cocktail bars.
Integrated throughout Meta’s platforms, Meta AI appears in chat boxes and search bars, such as at the top of your chat list on Messenger. Users can ask it questions or request it to “imagine” something, prompting the generation of pictures or animations.
As with any new technology, there have been some hiccups, including unusual interactions when the chatbots first launched. For example, one chatbot joined a Facebook moms’ group to discuss its gifted child, and another attempted to give away non-existent items in a Buy Nothing forum.
Meta AI has not been universally welcomed, and some users have expressed frustration with the constant AI presence. Unfortunately, there is no simple way to turn off Meta AI across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, or WhatsApp. However, there are some workarounds to limit its presence.
Muting Meta AI
On the Facebook mobile app, users can tap the “search” button and then follow prompts to “Ask Meta AI anything.” By tapping the blue triangle, then the blue circle with an “i” inside it, users will find a “mute” button. This allows them to silence the chatbot for 15 minutes, longer, or “until I change it.” The same process can be followed on Instagram. However, muting doesn’t completely remove Meta AI, as its logo might still appear where the search magnifying glass used to be, redirecting users to the Meta AI field.
When asked about searching Facebook without Meta AI results, the chatbot responded that Meta AI aims to assist with queries and that it can’t be disabled from this experience. A Meta spokesperson added that users could still search normally and choose from a variety of results, including those generated by AI, thanks to Meta’s search partnerships.
Meta AI also appears under posts on Facebook’s news feed, offering additional information about the post’s content. This feature cannot be disabled, so users will need to ignore it.
Using Basic Facebook
One effective way to avoid Meta AI is by using the stripped-down mobile site, mbasic.facebook.com. Designed for users in developing countries with older phones and slower internet connections, this basic site lacks AI features. It has a retro look and functions at a rudimentary level but remains AI-free.
Availability
Meta AI is currently available in the United States and 13 other countries, including Australia, Canada, Ghana, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Users outside these regions don’t have access to Meta AI yet.
As Meta continues to push the boundaries of digital interaction, Meta AI’s integration reflects the company’s commitment to innovation, despite the mixed reception from its user base.
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