TechPression

Tag: Meta

  • How to organise group events with WhatsApp’s new feature

    How to organise group events with WhatsApp’s new feature

    Meta’s instant messaging network, WhatsApp, is constantly evolving to provide a better experience for its users. The tech giant has unveiled the much-anticipated addition to group chats and events. The purpose of this new tool is to make it easier to plan events, gatherings, and meetings without ever leaving the group chat.

    With the Android 2.24.9.20 upgrade, the feature began to spread out with the WhatsApp beta. It will soon be released to a broader audience of WhatsApp users. The update is slowly making its way into WhatsApp’s regular group chats. However, it was first launched as a feature for Communities.

    Read also: Mama Money, Access Bank, Paymentology launch new WhatsApp-enabled bank card

    A guide on WhatsApp’s new feature for group events

    Thanks to the upgrade, users can now easily create and manage events without leaving chat groups. To do this, users must use the paperclip icon. An extra “Event” icon will now be available, letting users add new events with specifics like name, date, location, description, audio/video call information, and more.

    Event descriptions have a character limit of 2048. You can add WhatsApp call links to events up to one year in advance, and Zoom and other platform links can also be included in the description.

    After an event has been created, group members have the option to accept or decline the invitation, and the event creator typically can make changes to the event information.

    The source reassures that all group chat events are end-to-end encrypted and that no one outside of the conversation can view the specifics of these events, protecting the privacy and security of WhatsApp users.

    No one outside of the group can be invited to the event. It is also not possible to forward an event to another user.

    Changing events can only be done by the people who created them. Those in your group who click “yes” will be notified whenever you change your event. A notice will also be posted in the group conversation.

    Cancelling events is likewise a capability reserved for event creators. Those in your group who click “yes” will be notified when your event is cancelled. In the group chat, you’ll also see a system message.

    Read also: WhatsApp fully embraces HD photos and videos integration

    Other Meta features

    The company has released several new features directly to India’s WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger users, including the Events feature and its Meta AI assistant.

    Meta AI will also provide users with insights while they browse Facebook posts within the app. Using the Meta AI assistant in group conversations allows users to get real-time information on subjects such as travel planning and choosing the least crowded approach to a destination, thanks to its integration with real-time search results from Google and Microsoft.

    Better business tools and significant group video conversations are two more updates consumers can enjoy. The app’s most notable update is removing the eight-user limit on group video calls and replacing it with a much higher maximum. With the recent update, WhatsApp calls on desktop and mobile devices may now support up to 32 individuals, allowing bigger groups to easily communicate virtually virtually.

  • Nigerians are now eligible for Facebook monetisation

    Nigerians are now eligible for Facebook monetisation

    Ad revenue from Facebook and Instagram is now available to content creators in Nigeria, thanks to the country’s eligibility.

    This modification was implemented on Thursday, June 27th, by Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook. Before this update, content creators residing in Nigeria could not use Facebook to monetise their work unless their page was managed from an eligible country.

    In 2023, content creators from the US, Canada, Australia, and South Korea were early adopters of “Ads on Reels,” a performance-based monetisation programme where payouts are determined by reel viewership.

    The change allows Nigerian content creators to monetise their work through Facebook features such as in-stream ads, live ads, ads on reels, bonuses, and subscriptions.

    Read also: Meta trains Facebook and Instagram AI in Europe

    Meta President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg announced during his March visit to Nigeria, and this latest development follows in his footsteps.

    Instagram will not be the only platform that can be monetised. Meta announced in March that creators in Nigeria who are eligible to use their monetisation products will also have the opportunity to earn money on Facebook. “We’re working diligently to make these monetisation features available for Nigerian creators in June, and our team is dedicated to a swift rollout,” Meta said.

    How Facebook monetisation works

    There is a robust creator economy in Kenya and Nigeria, where people make all sorts of content, from fashion videos and skits to instructional videos and more.

    Get up to 60,000 minutes of video views, have five or more eligible videos shared, and have at least 5,000 followers to be eligible to earn from the platform.

    A green checkmark will appear next to each fulfilled requirement, while an ‘x’ will appear next to each unfulfilled requirement.

    Professional mode pages and profiles are checked periodically by Facebook technology to make sure they meet the requirements.

    How social media became “digital oil” for content creators

    Over the past few years, the primary function of digital platforms has evolved from facilitating casual communication and the exchange of personal information to serving as a means of financial support.

    Many Nigerians see online social networks as replacing ‘oil’, the country’s leading resource. Content creators can monetise their work by sharing it on social media. Several media types are used, such as articles, videos, and images.

    Read also: X launches private likes feature to enhance user privacy

    Some content creators are known as influencers because of the many people who follow and watch their work. These content creators often amass substantial wealth as influencers by endorsing businesses and brands and the monetary compensation they receive from social media platforms.

    Earnings for creators are affected by things like the number of followers, engagement with the audience, and the type of content they create. Yet, building a personal brand on social media allows even individuals with a smaller following to make a substantial amount of money consistently.

    Since the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 spared most Nigerians their jobs, the country’s population of content creators has grown. Many Nigerians turned to filming family and themselves coping with the lockdown to self-express and engage. For many, the experience gained from this activity has led to content creation.

  • Meta trains Facebook and Instagram AI in Europe

    Meta trains Facebook and Instagram AI in Europe

    A European advocacy organisation has rejected Meta’s idea to train its Artificial Intelligence (AI) models using the personal data of Facebook and Instagram users.

    The privacy advocacy group NOYB ( None of Your Business) issued a statement on Thursday urging European data protection authorities to take action against Meta’s plans to utilise Facebook and Instagram user data for AI training.

    NOYB emphasised the potential violations of the General Data Protection Regulation and called on privacy enforcers to investigate and prevent Meta from misusing personal data. The group’s statement highlights concerns over the exploitation of user’s sensitive information without their consent and the potential risk associated with AI systems being trained on vast amounts of personal data.

    Read also: How to Use Meta AI for Generating Images on WhatsApp

    Additionally, this will urge national privacy watchdogs to take quick action, citing recent changes to Meta’s privacy policy that will take effect on June 26 as permission for the company to access years’ worth of private photographs, postings, or online tracking data for the AI technology owned by Facebook.

    The advocacy group said it had launched 11 complaints against Meta and asked data protection authorities in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Spain to launch an urgent procedure because of the imminent changes.

    Meta Denies Data Misuse Despite NOYB Criticism

    In response to NOYB’s critique of its plan, Meta has denied it and linked to a blog post from May 22 in which it claimed that it trains AI using data that is licenced and publicly accessible online, along with publicly published information on its goods and services.

    Nevertheless, a notice distributed to Facebook users stated that Meta might continue to handle data about individuals who neither use its services nor have an account, provided that they appear in an image or are referenced in posts or captions shared by other users.

    Max Schrems, the founder of NOYB, said in the statement that Europe’s top court had already ruled on this issue in 2021.

    NOYB said it has already filed several complaints against Meta and other Big Tech companies over alleged breaches of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which threatens fines of up to 4% of a company’s total global turnover for violations.

    Read also: M-PESA Africa partners with Remitly, others to launch first class money transfer

    Data protection watchdogs add pressure to Meta and Tech Giants

    Several tech platforms like Meta are coming under the radar of data protection watchdogs over their propensity to misuse the data of billions of people on their platforms. In October last year, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) said it investigated Meta and other companies over possible data breaches based on user complaints.

    The Commission claims that allegations against Meta included behavioural advertising without the data subjects’ express authorisation. It further stated that the data processing that is the investigation’s subject may have impacted some 40 million Facebook accounts in Nigeria.

  • Unleashing the power of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses for instagram stories

    Unleashing the power of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses for instagram stories

    The intelligent eyewear partnership between Ray-Ban and Meta (formerly Facebook) has just received some exciting news. 

    You can now instantly publish photos and videos to Instagram. Stories from the Ray-Ban Stories were initially announced in 2021. With this cutting-edge function, users can broadcast their experiences in real-time, making the boundaries between fashion and technology even more porous.

    The Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses are an easy way to capture and share special moments without using your hands. They have been intended to blend in with your everyday life.

    Read also: Vuzix Blade 2 smart glasses meets demands of deskless workforce

    The most recent update allows live-stream videos straight to Instagram and capture and share still images and videos. This feature will dramatically alter how users engage with their online communities and their physical world when released.

    The demand for gadgets that improve our experiences has skyrocketed as the globe becomes more connected through technology. The Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses are leading the charge in this trend, which attracts a diverse customer base because of their innovative combination of form and function. Those who appreciate ease and originality in their social media interactions will likely choose the glasses even more now that they can submit Instagram Stories directly.

    All new Ray-Ban: Supercharged audio & cameras

    The upgraded cameras are one of the most noticeable changes in the new Ray-Ban Stories. An enormous improvement over the prior 15 seconds is that the glasses’ enhanced image sensors can now record 1080p footage for up to 60 seconds. This update lets users record more detailed, lengthier films of their adventures, which can be uploaded to Instagram Stories with a single voice command.

    The audio capabilities of the Ray-Ban Stories have been upgraded, just like the cameras. Thanks to the five-speaker arrangement in the glasses, there is now more bass, more excellent directional sound, and more substantial volume. This update makes recording videos and interacting with the in-built Meta AI assistant more accessible.

    Ray-Ban Stories: Unveiling battery Life and Live Streaming capabilities

    The option to broadcast directly to Instagram is another intriguing addition to the revamped Ray-Ban Stories. With this function, users may broadcast their whereabouts in real-time and view and hear Instagram comments. Content creators and influencers will find this feature especially useful if they desire a more personal and engaged connection with their followers.

    Read also: Razer enters smart glasses market with Razer Anzu smart glasses

    The updated charging case for the Ray-Ban Stories allows a battery life of up to 36 hours. Thanks to this upgrade, customers won’t have to worry about their devices dying mid-day while they capture and share content. The charging case’s USB-C connector makes it easy to charge your glasses wherever you go.

    The refreshed Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses are a giant leap ahead for the convergence of style and technology. Suppose you’re looking for a fashionable way to record and share your adventures without using your hands. These glasses are a great choice because of their upgraded cameras, audio, live-streaming features, and battery life. Content creators, influencers, and anyone who values the opportunity to share their world in real time will find the Ray-Ban Stories a crucial tool as the world embraces the convergence of technology and ordinary life.

  • Digify Africa, Meta, Dell Foundation open application for digital entrepreneurship

    Digify Africa, Meta, Dell Foundation open application for digital entrepreneurship

    Digify Africa, in partnership with Meta and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF), has opened applications for the 2024 Digify Pro Online digital entrepreneurship programme.

    This initiative is designed to help unemployed youth aged 18 to 35 build careers in digital marketing, equipping them with essential skills for the modern economy.

    The 2024 edition of Digify Pro Online introduces a new three-tiered training approach, providing participants with a structured, progressive learning experience.

    Read also: Tinubu to Meta: Nigeria Will Lead Africa in Digital Technology

    Digify Africa: Application Information

    Applications for the Digify Pro Online digital entrepreneurship programme are open now until June 2. Interested candidates can apply through the Digify Africa website.

    The programme includes foundational, intermediate, and advanced phases, each tailored to impart practical and advanced digital marketing skills.

    Foundational Level: This initial phase serves as an introduction to digital marketing and entrepreneurship, offering participants the basic knowledge needed to begin their journey.

    Intermediate Level: A 10-week boot camp focusing on strategic digital marketing techniques, preparing participants to develop and implement comprehensive digital marketing plans.

    Advanced Level: The final stage, consisting of six weeks of elective training, allows participants to specialise in specific areas of digital marketing, enhancing their expertise and employability.

    Dignify Tackles Youth Unemployment Through Inclusive Education

    Nothando Gininda, Digify PRO Project Manager, emphasises the importance of the programme in addressing youth unemployment and promoting inclusive education.

    “The new 3-Level programme directly responds to the ever-increasing youth unemployment rates and the clear need for more inclusive learning opportunities, especially targeting the previously under-represented,” Gininda explains. The programme aims to bridge the skills gap and give young people the tools they need to succeed in the digital economy.

    Advantages for Startups

    The Digify Pro Online program offers numerous benefits for startups and young entrepreneurs:

    Developing a Skilled Workforce: By training participants in advanced digital marketing techniques, the programme creates a pool of talented individuals ready to contribute to startups and help them grow.

    Introducing Innovative Ideas: Graduates of the programme are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the businesses they join.

    Read also: Rwanda’s fintech surges, propelling Kigali as a global innovation hub

    Creating Networking Opportunities: The programme fosters a community of aspiring digital marketers and entrepreneurs, facilitating connections to new partnerships and business ventures.

    Expanding Market Reach: Startups can utilise programme participants’ advanced digital marketing skills to enhance their online presence, engage effectively with their audience, and expand their market reach.

    Through this programme, Digify Africa, Meta, and MSDF are investing in the future of young Africans, addressing unemployment, and fostering the growth of a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. This initiative offers a valuable opportunity for young people to develop the skills needed for successful careers in the digital age.

  • Meta creates camera equipped earbuds with Artificial Intelligence, (AI)

    Meta creates camera equipped earbuds with Artificial Intelligence, (AI)

    Meta Platforms is creating camera-equipped earbuds that use artificial intelligence (AI). Under the pseudonym of the “Camerabuds” project, the Facebook parent hopes the gadget can translate languages and recognise objects.

    In September of last year, Meta unveiled their second-generation Ray-Ban smart glasses, which will retail for $299 and feature built-in artificial intelligence (AI) that can provide information about the object the user is staring at.

    Read also: Meta improves Instagram with new Ideas; stickers for Music, others

    The need for AI-assisted earbuds

    Meta is among many companies aiming to develop wearable devices powered by artificial intelligence to capitalise on the increasing interest in this sector. 

    Earbuds that use artificial intelligence are changing the music-listening game. The desire fuels the need for these cutting-edge gadgets:

    Experience music like never before with AI-enhanced earbuds that tailor the sound to your unique listening habits, surroundings, and hearing profile.

    Breaking down communication barriers, real-time language translation is a boon for travellers and language learners.

    An improvement in hearing and focus in noisy environments is possible with the help of AI-powered noise cancellation and audio augmentation.

    Vital signs, including heart rate and blood pressure, can be monitored by integrated sensors to provide valuable insights into health.

    By integrating voice assistants, users can access information, control smart devices, and enjoy the convenience of not using their hands.

    Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smart audio filtering can optimise listening comfort by automatically adjusting volume, tone, and equalisation.

    3D audio can be generated by earbuds assisted by artificial intelligence, allowing for more immersive listening experiences in games, movies, and music.

    Earbuds powered by artificial intelligence are revolutionising the audio industry by providing a more intelligent, tailored, and entertaining listening experience to a new generation of consumers. 

    Read also: Threads surpasses 150 million monthly users

    Meta also improves marketing with AI

    Thanks to Meta testing new tools, marketers will soon be able to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) commands to generate marketing content, such as images and messaging.

    The artificial intelligence tools at Meta can now create fresh, unique product images whenever an advertiser submits a photo of their wares. Some advertisers have already activated that feature. The business announced on May 7 that marketers would soon have the option to utilise text prompts to generate alternate versions of the initial image.

    Meta’s AI tools can also generate ad headlines and primary ad copy. As part of their more significant push into the technology, the announcement expands upon something that meta advertisers can already do with generative AI: change the background of an image they upload to the system. Ultimately, Meta aspires to enable advertisers to generate entirely new marketing images with merely a text prompt—no original image required.

  • Meta improves Instagram with new Ideas; stickers for Music, others

    Meta improves Instagram with new Ideas; stickers for Music, others

    With the release of four new stickers—Add Yours Music, Frames, Reveal, and Cutouts—Meta enriches Instagram Stories with new ideas and user engagement. This release occurred on May 3, 2024, and was announced on Meta’s official website.

    Instagrammers can express themselves and engage with their followers in new ways with these stickers designed for different storytelling styles.

    Read also: How to Use Meta AI for Generating Images on WhatsApp

    Exploring the new features

    An innovative sticker called “Share Your Soundtrack with Add Yours Music” merges the fun of the “Add Yours” function with the ability to integrate music.

    To incorporate it into your stories, you must tap the Stickers icon and then choose “Add Yours Music.” Tap “+ / Add Music” to incorporate a song from Instagram’s vast music library into your story. Browse the library for a song that suits your mood.

    By inviting your followers to use the “Add Yours” button after you’ve shared your story, you can transform it into a collaborative playlist featuring their songs.

    Use the Frame Stickers and others for enhancement 

    The Frames sticker brings your memories to life by enhancing your stories with an interactive and nostalgic touch. You can access this function by tapping the Stickers icon and choosing “Frames.” Select a picture from your library to frame; if you want, you can add a caption.

    Upon application, the sticker will display the current time and date alongside the selected photo. Sharing your story with friends makes sharing the framed memory even more exciting because they can “develop” the image by shaking their phones or tapping the “shake to reveal” button.

    Use the Reveal sticker to pique your followers’ interest and leave them wanting more. Press the Stickers icon and choose “Reveal” to activate this function. You’ll have to give a clue as to what the blurred image contains.

    Use the preview button at the bottom left to see how your story will look to viewers. After you publish your story, your followers can only see it by sending you a direct message (DM). You don’t have to approve each DM separately to reveal the story.

    The Cutouts sticker is a great way to show off your artistic side and make ordinary moments more memorable and shareable. You can make a sticker from your camera roll by tapping the Stickers icon, followed by the scissors icon, which is called “Cutouts.”

    Select an image or clip from your collection that focuses on a different theme. You can make the sticker automatically or make any necessary adjustments to the object. Every sticker allows you to choose a single item. Press “Use Sticker” to add your creation to your reel or story.

    Read also: Nigerians to start earning from Meta’s Instagram

    To transform an existing Instagram photo into a sticker for your stories, tap the three dots in the top right corner of the post, choose “Create Sticker,” and then go to the desired image shared by public accounts. With these interactive stickers, Instagram becomes even more engaging, opening up new avenues for audience engagement and improving the storytelling experience.

    You can store your creations in your sticker tray with cutouts for easy access later. If you want to spread the joy of creativity even further, let other people use the cutout stickers you made in their stories and reels.

    Enhance your storytelling with collaborative music selections, framed memories, interactive reveals, and custom-made cutouts with these new sticker functionalities. 

  • Meta ups generative AI : Llama 3, unveils Image generator

    Meta ups generative AI : Llama 3, unveils Image generator

    In a determined effort to match the generative AI market leader OpenAI, Meta unveiled preliminary versions of its latest language model, Llama 3, and a cutting-edge image generator that updates pictures in real time based on user prompts.

    This announcement comes on a Thursday, signalling Meta’s commitment to accelerate its progress in the generative AI space.

    Meta AI, the company’s virtual assistant, will incorporate the models. Meta AI is being marketed as the most advanced of its free-to-use competitors, with performance comparisons on topics such as reasoning, coding, and creative writing compared to rival offerings from Alphabet, Google, and the French startup Mistral AI.

    Read also: Apple plans to add Gemini AI to Iphone

    The revamped Meta AI assistant will be featured more prominently in Meta’s Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook apps. It will also have its own website to better compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which Microsoft backed.

    The website’s landing page offers various interactive features, such as a packing list generator, a quiz about music from the 90s, homework assistance, and the ability to paint a skyline of New York City.

    How Meta AI is tackling competition

    Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger now incorporate the Meta AI assistant, introduced last September, into their search boxes. It will soon begin to show up in the Facebook main feed itself. It remains accessible through the message inboxes of Meta’s chat applications. Plus, you can now get it on its own at Meta.ai, which is a first.

    For Meta’s assistant to be considered a serious contender, the underlying model must be at least as good as ChatGPT. This is why Meta is releasing Llama 3, the next big version of its open-source model that serves as its foundation. According to Meta, Llama 3 performs better on critical benchmarks than other models in its class and is superior overall at tasks like coding. 

    The Meta AI assistant and external developers have access to two smaller Llama 3 models; a significantly larger version with support for multiple modes will be available in the coming months.

    The plans for Meta AI

    Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, wants Meta AI to be the most intelligent AI assistant that people can freely use worldwide. According to Zuckerberg, Llama 3 gives the Meta team the impression that they are there.

    As far as the internet is concerned, no other chatbot incorporates real-time results from Google and Bing like the Meta AI assistant. Meta determines when to use either search engine to respond to a query. It has also improved its image generation to make GIFs and animations, and it can now generate high-resolution images dynamically as you type. According to Ahmad Al-Dahle, head of generative AI at Meta, the panel of prompt suggestions that appears when you initially open a chat window is designed to demystify what a general-purpose chatbot can do. Perplexity inspires this feature.

    Read also: ‘P1 Ventures’ expands to Nairobi, Dakar, Intensifies AI Integration

    Previously only accessible in the United States, Meta AI is now being released in English to several countries and languages, including Australia, Canada, Ghana, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. While Zuckerberg’s vision of a genuinely global AI assistant remains elusive, this expanded release brings Meta AI one step closer to connecting with the company’s over 3 billion daily users.

    Here, we see echoes of Snapchat’s and TikTok’s groundbreaking Stories and Reels formats, which were both added to Meta’s apps to further cement their position as industry standards and set a precedent for similar developments.

    Some might say it’s dishonestly plagiarizing. Yet Zuckerberg clearly views Meta’s massive size and agility in responding to emerging trends as its competitive advantage. With Meta AI, he is also aggressively investing in foundational models and spreading them everywhere, following the same playbook.

  • Meta’s AI now available in Nigeria, Ghana, others in Africa

    Meta’s AI now available in Nigeria, Ghana, others in Africa

    Meta has stated that its AI service will now be available in seven countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria and Ghana.

    Among the companies owned by Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, Meta is the parent business.

    According to the company, Meta AI has also been made available in South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.

    Meta said that releasing the AI assistant in English would improve connections and give millions of Africans the tools they need to be more creative, expressive, and effective.

    Read also: How to use Meta AI to chat on WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram

    “Get things done, learn, make things, and connect with the things that matter on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger with Meta AI.”

    According to a statement made by the company on Thursday, “You can use Meta AI in feeds, chats, searches, and more across our apps to get things done and get real-time information without leaving the app you’re using.”

    Why is Meta focusing on African countries for AI expansion?

    Like many software companies, Meta sees the promise of Africa’s fast-growing digital market. Meta wants to enter this market and build a significant presence in Africa, where internet availability and smartphone penetration are rising.

    Meta wants to link the world and give underserved people access to its platforms and services, so investing in Africa makes sense. Meta can also employ local expertise and insights to create solutions for African users by expanding its AI activities in Africa.

    It boosts innovation, economic progress, and social development in the region. Meta’s focus on Africa shows its dedication to global expansion and its appreciation of Africa’s potential for growth and influence.

    Mark Zuckerberg’s words on Meta Al

    Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, wrote on Facebook that the company’s mission is to construct the world’s best AI. The company believes Meta AI is “the most intelligent AI assistant you can freely use.”

    Zuckerberg said the business has merged real-time knowledge from Google and Bing into Meta AI replies, making it brighter and easier to use across apps.

    Read also: Meta conducts AI tests in India, Africa

    We are thrilled to expand Meta AI in English to additional nations. Our next-generation assistant will provide real-time information through seamless search integration in your favourite apps. To improve Meta AI, we open-sourced our cutting-edge Llama 3 AI model.

    “We added unique creation features like photo animation. Meta AI creates and refreshes high-quality graphics in real-time as you type. Zuckerberg stated it would also record your creation process.

    In addition to animating photographs, Meta AI can now iterate on them in a new style and turn them into GIFs to share with friends, inspiring creativity. Meta introduced this connection method at Meta Connect 2023. More individuals can interact with it globally than before. 

  • Meta conducts AI tests in India, Africa

    Meta conducts AI tests in India, Africa

    Meta has announced that it is conducting tests with Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp users in India and certain regions of Africa. The aim is to gauge their experience with Meta AI, its chatbot powered by a large language model. 

    This is a big step towards Meta’s goal of scaling its AI offerings by tapping into its massive user bases across all its apps.

    After other big tech companies, including OpenAI, made significant AI moves, the social media giant found itself in a race to release more AI services. In February 2023, Meta revealed its intentions to develop and test various AI tools, including chatbots. With over 500 million Facebook and WhatsApp users, India is Meta’s biggest single market, and users there have only begun to notice the appearance of the Meta AI chatbot. This makes India a crucial market for the company.

    Read also: Why data harmonisation is critical for development

    Facebook aims to expand its audience engagement services in developing markets, where smartphone users are increasing faster than in developed markets such as the United States, where the growth rate has levelled off. In their WhatsApp conversations, African users have also noticed what appears to be Meta AI. Meta verified the action in a statement. According to a Meta spokesperson, we are testing a variety of them publicly in a limited capacity, and the generative AI-powered experiences are in different stages of development.

    When it all started

    In September 2023, the business unveiled Meta AI, its all-purpose assistant. With language commands, users may generate realistic visuals and receive answers to their questions from this AI chatbot. Instagram proves that the app is also used for search inquiries.

    In terms of developing and releasing AI tools to its customers, Meta is a bit behind the curve. Its staff believed that generative AI technology was still in its infancy. OpenAI disproved that claim, which put MetaAI in a weak position.

    Earlier this week, at an “AI Day” that Meta held at its London offices, chief AI scientist and Turing Award winner Yann LeCun said that the availability of ChatGPT sparked the public’s interest and excitement. It was not the technology or the system’s performance, in his opinion, that was surprising about ChatGPT. As far as the general public was concerned, that was the deciding factor. That took everyone aback. Even OpenAI was taken aback. Based on its attempts to launch AI chatbots, Meta believed they “were not particularly welcome… in fact, some of them were trashed by people,” he explained. The tech community at large, he said, is now “more open and more comfortable with releasing models,” and the company is no exception.

    Meta is currently engaged in that activity. But, from a more practical standpoint, there are three explanations for why Meta might be moving forward with its AI plan.

    Why Meta is making this move

    Meta is concerned that users may defect if the company does not provide artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, which are now essential for user retention. In the tech industry, investors want evidence that Meta is dedicated to supporting and developing what many anticipate will be the next generation of computing to retain investors, but strong earnings are also significant.

    Read also: Microsoft announces it is selling Teams Chat, Video App separately

    Thirdly, it takes great pride in the fact that it has pioneered numerous fields in the past ten years, such as mobile apps, social media, and advertising, and that it employs exceptional talent, such as the renowned artificial intelligence researcher Yann LeCun.

    With billions of active users monthly, Instagram and WhatsApp provide Meta with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to scale its AI offerings globally. By integrating Meta AI into WhatsApp and Instagram, the Facebook-owned company can leverage its advanced language model and image generation capabilities to reach a massive audience, theoretically giving it a significant advantage over its competitors.

    Llama 3, the next version of the open-source large language model, will be launched within the next month, according to the company, which was confirmed earlier this week.