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Threads is rolling out Meta AI, which will provide real-time context when mentioned in a post or reply. Connor Hayes, head of Threads, posted on the app Tuesday about the thinking behind Meta AI\u2019s new feature.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re starting to test a way to get context on a Threads conversation by mentioning Meta AI in a post or reply. This will start in a handful of countries today and expand over time,\u201d Hayes said<\/a>. \u201cConversations here move fast. A lot of people want to look things up before jumping in. We want to make that easier. Ask Meta AI to get real-time context about a trend, breaking story, or get recommendations right in the conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n The new Meta AI Threads account encourages users to \u201ctag @meta.ai<\/a> to get context, closure, or comedy,\u201d and includes a video demonstrating<\/a> how Meta AI can be used by tagging the account in any conversation.<\/p>\n Tagging “Meta AI” is currently being tested in Argentina, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, with plans to expand to more countries soon. Meta did not respond to Fast Company<\/em>\u2019s request for comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Hayes\u2019 reveal of the new Meta AI feature sparked some backlash on Threads, with users voicing frustration over the upcoming changes.<\/p>\n A community note written by a Threads user is attached to Meta AI’s first post and warns that Meta AI has been rated as “extremely harmful, including inaccurate information.”<\/p>\n “Holy community note lol,” said<\/a> a user who posted a screenshot of the note.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you guys handle the bot and bigot problem first?\u201d posted<\/a> another user, adding that they were tired of AI.\u00a0<\/p>\n One user tagged<\/a> the Meta AI account, asking it to explain why it can\u2019t be blocked. Meta AI replied<\/a>, \u201cYep, you can\u2019t block me on Threads right now.\u201d It went on to say that, because it is a built-in feature, users who do not want to interact with it can mute the account instead.<\/p>\n Meta spokesperson Christine Pai told<\/a> The Verge<\/em> that, during the test, users will be able to manage their Meta AI experience. \u201cWe want to give people a way to quickly gather context before jumping into the conversation. But if you want to see fewer Meta AI replies in your Threads feed, you can mute or hide Meta AI replies, or use the \u2018Not interested\u2019 option on any Meta AI post,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Being able to mute the Meta AI account is apparently not enough for some users. \u201cAnd giving us no option to block is really shitty,\u201d posted<\/a> one user who questioned why Threads does not let people choose whether they want to engage with Meta AI at all.<\/p>\n Another user added<\/a>: \u201cNobody wants this.\u201d<\/p>\n The tech changes aren’t just coming to Threads. On Wednesday, Meta announced<\/a> the launch of Incognito Chat with Meta AI in WhatsApp and the Meta AI app. Conversations are processed inside what Meta describes as a secure environment the company itself cannot access, and chats disappear by default once a session ends.<\/p>\n The feature will roll out over the coming months alongside Side Chat, which lets users privately query Meta AI from within any WhatsApp conversation using the context of the ongoing chat.<\/p>\n“You can\u2019t block me on Threads right now”<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s next for Meta AI? <\/h2>\n