In a bold move to enter the generative AI battlefield, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has launched its first standalone AI application — Meta AI. The app aims to rival established players like ChatGPT and Gemini by offering a unique blend of personalized AI responses and socially driven interactions.
In a bold move to enter the generative AI battlefield, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has launched its first standalone AI application — Meta AI. The app aims to rival established players like ChatGPT and Gemini by offering a unique blend of personalized AI responses and socially driven interactions.
The app was unveiled on Tuesday by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg through a video posted on Instagram, coinciding with a detailed blog announcement on the company’s official site.
“A billion people are using Meta AI across our apps now, so we made a new standalone Meta AI app for you to check out,” Zuckerberg said.
Social Feed Meets AI Assistant
What sets Meta AI apart is its ‘Discovery’ tab, a social feed where users can share prompts, remix AI responses, and explore interactions from others. This feature brings a community element to AI usage, making the app interactive and crowd-driven, unlike the more isolated experiences on ChatGPT or Gemini.
The app also includes:
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A ‘History’ tab for saving and revisiting past conversations
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A ‘Devices’ tab to manage Meta hardware like Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, including photo galleries and device settings
Powered by Llama 4 and Built for Personalization
Meta AI runs on the company’s newest AI model, Llama 4, which enables advanced memory and personalization features. Initially available in the U.S. and Canada, this capability allows users to train the assistant to remember preferences, interests, and habits to deliver tailored answers and suggestions.
Global Rollout with Regional Feature Limits
Meta has launched the app in 36 countries, giving global users access to its text-based AI assistant. However, voice-based interactions — featuring new full-duplex speech technology that mimics natural phone conversations — are currently restricted to:
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United States
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Canada
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Australia
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New Zealand
The advanced voice function supports real-time, back-and-forth dialogue, designed to be smoother and more conversational than traditional AI voice assistants.
AI Already Embedded Across Meta Products
While the standalone app marks a new chapter for Meta’s AI ambitions, the assistant remains integrated across the company’s ecosystem. Users can still interact with Meta AI within WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook by tapping the familiar blue and purple ring icon.
A Glimpse at the Future of AI
Meta’s latest move signals its ambition to create not just a smart assistant but a social AI platform — blending AI capability with community engagement. With the launch of Meta AI, the company is not only targeting productivity and personal assistance, but also positioning AI as a shared cultural experience.
Conclusion
As Meta joins the race with a standalone, personalized, and socially integrated AI app, the stakes in the generative AI arena continue to rise. With its ecosystem strength, global footprint, and experimental design, Meta AI could soon become a formidable player — not just competing, but redefining how users interact with artificial intelligence.
