Meta has announced enhancements to Meta AI, its multi-platform chatbot, which now includes the capability for the bot to “remember” information from previous conversations.
According to a recent update on Meta’s official blog, users interacting with Meta AI through Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp on iOS and Android devices in the U.S. and Canada can now request the bot to retain certain personal details, such as a passion for travel or language learning.
With the memory functionality—similar to features found in OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini—Meta AI is designed to remember key information based on context. For instance, if a user highlights their veganism in an earlier conversation and later seeks breakfast suggestions, the chatbot will consistently account for that preference.
Meta has clarified that Meta AI will not retain information from group chats and that users have the option to delete any saved memories at their discretion.
In a potentially more controversial development for Meta AI, the company revealed that the chatbot will utilize account information from various Meta applications for tailored recommendations. Such information could encompass a user’s listed home location on Facebook or videos recently viewed on Instagram.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg elaborated on this feature in a post shared on Monday:
“Meta AI will begin providing responses based on the preferences and data you’ve shared,” he stated. “For instance, it has assisted me in creating imaginative bedtime stories for my daughters, remembering that they adore mermaids when I request a new story.”
This personalized recommendation feature will initially launch on Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram for users in the U.S. and Canada. A representative from Meta has informed TechCrunch that there will be no option to opt out of this feature.
While Meta strives to cast a positive light on the newfound capabilities of Meta AI, one cannot ignore the concerns surrounding user privacy, especially considering how low trust levels people have in Meta — and Facebook specifically — regarding their data security. The response to these updates remains to be seen.
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