Now, Meta Brings In AI Assistant To India

Just a few days after tech giant Google launched the mobile app of its GenAI chatbot Gemini in India, Meta is now rolling out its AI assistant for Indian users. 

With this, users of WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger and Instagram can use the Meta AI assistant to tap into GenAI-enabled search capabilities, assistance, information-seeking abilities and other features, the company said in a note.

Meta AI is built with the company’s next generation of its state-of-the-art open source large language model Meta Llama 3.

With Meta AI out for users globally, it has entered the list of the well-known global tech giants who have introduced various AI assistants such as Gemini by Google, Copilot by Microsoft, Amazon’s Alexa, ChatGPT owned by OpenAI and more.

The company has rolled out Meta AI in English in more than a dozen countries outside of the US since its launch in April. Meta has so far introduced its AI assistant in Australia, Canada, Ghana, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In April, Meta initially piloted a GenAI chatbot for Indian users across its three platforms – WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger, where a select user population were able to experiment with the new AI feature.

Meta AI is easily accessible without having to install any separate application, but can be seamlessly used in feed, chats, search and more across its social media apps to get things done and access real-time information, without having to leave the app currently in use, the note said.

Earlier this month, Meta announced that its Meta Verified programme will now be rolled out for WhatsApp Business users in India, Indonesia, Brazil and Colombia at Meta’s annual business messaging event, Conversations.

Meta Verified is a subscription service designed to enhance a business’s credibility with new audiences, driving increased engagement and brand growth.

According to Inc42, India’s GenAI market is expected to see a major boom in the coming years and is projected to cross the $17 Bn mark by 2030. 

Consequently, India is home to more than 100 GenAI startups and these startups have raised more than $600 Mn since 2019.

Spearheading this transition are names like SarvamAI and Krutrim, which are focussed on building Indic LLMs, while others like ObserveAI, having secured $214 Mn, are leveraging AI to offer customised customer and operational support to businesses.