*** Meta Expands AI Assistant to MENA Region, Introducing Cutting-Edge Features Across Major Markets | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Meta Expands AI Assistant to MENA Region, Introducing Cutting-Edge Features Across Major Markets

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Meta has officially expanded its AI assistant, Meta AI, to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, providing users with a powerful tool to learn, create, and connect with the people and things they care about most. The rollout is happening gradually, with full accessibility now available in key markets such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, and Iraq.

Accessible within Meta’s suite of apps—including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger—Meta AI can be quickly activated through its blue circle icon. No registration is required, and users can even engage with the assistant in group chats by simply typing ‘@Meta AI.’ This feature is perfect for tasks like research, brainstorming, and planning with friends. For example, users planning a family vacation can ask Meta AI to suggest island destinations within a six-hour flight from the UAE, receiving real-time, tailored recommendations for group discussion.

Meta AI is powered by Llama 3.2, the company’s largest and most advanced open-source large language model, enabling it to generate text, create images, and animate visuals within Meta’s apps. The "Imagine" feature allows users to generate images by simply typing a description. For instance, a request like “Imagine a tiger wearing a vest drinking tea at a café” will prompt Meta AI to create the image, with the added option to animate it.

In an exciting development for the region, Meta AI now supports Arabic, making it even more accessible to users across the MENA area.

Fares Akkad, Regional Director for Middle East and Africa at Meta, commented, “Meta AI is one of the world's leading AI assistants already on your phone, in your pocket for free. Combining accessibility with cutting-edge technology, it serves as a gateway to a smarter, more connected life for millions of users in the MENA region. We believe that having a reliable assistant will be one of the defining benefits of this generation of AI. With Meta AI on track to become the most used AI assistant in the world by the end of the year, we’re excited to bring its transformative potential to communities across the region.”

To celebrate the launch, Meta is introducing "Elevating Every Moment," a content series that will help users make the most of Meta AI. Featuring tips, use cases, and deep dives, the series will collaborate with regional Instagram creators such as Yara Boumonsef, Amro Maskoun, Raghad Zamel, and Abdullah Al Sabe. Additionally, Meta will release an educational series on its official Meta Arabia page, providing guidance on crafting effective prompts for both personal and professional tasks.

“People are using Meta AI for a wide range of projects, from art to home décor, to outfit inspiration. The image generation feature has been especially popular, and I’m eager to see how users in the MENA region will push the boundaries of creativity with AI,” said Akkad.

Looking ahead, Meta AI users can expect more groundbreaking multimodal features, including simultaneous dubbing for Reels content, real-life image editing, and the "Imagine Me" feature, which will generate personalized portraits that can be edited in real-time. Meta AI will also introduce advanced tools to help users craft captions, making creative expression and connection easier than ever.

With nearly 700 million active monthly users and availability in 42 countries and 13 languages, Meta AI is well on its way to becoming the world’s most widely used AI assistant by the end of the year.