Meta officially released the AI assistant Meta AI in Europe after extended delays. The chatbot application access started this week for users located in 41 European nations and 21 territories managed by Meta. The European variation of the product functions through text communications, yet it does not contain capabilities for image generation or modification, which are included in the US version.
What European Users Can Do With Meta AI
The AI assistant will help users brainstorm ideas, plan trips, answer questions using web information, and find content on Instagram. For example, typing “show me Vancouver Island content” could surface travel reels or posts from friends. The Meta AI system finally entered European markets after waiting for almost twelve months. The chatbot application access started this week for users located in 41 European nations and 21 territories managed by Meta. The European variation of the product functions through text communications, yet it does not contain capabilities for image generation or modification, which are included in the US version. The tool does not generate images or analyze photos in Europe due to regulatory restrictions.
Why the Launch Took So Long
Meta initially planned to bring Meta AI to Europe in 2023 but paused after Ireland’s Data Protection Commission raised concerns about training AI on user data. The company also delayed its Llama AI model in the EU over privacy issues. After months of talks with regulators, Meta agreed to launch a text-only version of Meta AI that is not trained on data from European users.
“This launch follows almost a year of engagement with European regulators,” said Meta spokesperson Ellie Heatrick. “We are starting with a text model and will expand features over time.”
How Meta AI Compares to the US Version
In the US, Meta AI offers advanced features like image generation, photo analysis, and personalized responses based on user data. European users miss out on these tools but gain access to the core chat function. Meta says it aims to eventually achieve “parity” with the US version but must first address regulatory hurdles.
Last year, Meta introduced basic AI features to its Ray-Ban smart glasses in Europe but excluded visual analysis capabilities. The company has not shared a timeline for adding multimodal features to Meta AI in the region.
Future Plans for Meta AI in Europe
Meta plans to expand Meta AI’s language support to six European languages in the coming weeks. The company also wants to introduce personalization and memory features, allowing the AI to remember user preferences and past interactions.
According to the company, over 700 million people globally use Meta AI monthly. In Europe, Meta hopes the chatbot will become a daily assistant for tasks like planning trips, solving problems, or discovering content.
How to Access Meta AI
European users can find Meta AI by looking for the blue circle icon in WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, or Messenger. Tapping the icon opens a chat window where they can type questions or commands. The AI draws information from the web and Meta’s apps but cannot access or analyze personal data from EU accounts.
While the launch is a milestone, Meta acknowledges that European users have waited longer than expected for AI tools. The company expressed satisfaction about their journey in a blog entry after it took longer than expected to reach the destination.
The negotiation process between Meta and regulators centres on establishing an equilibrium between innovation systems and privacy protection. For now, Europeans can explore Meta AI’s text features while awaiting future updates.
