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Meta’s new ‘AI Mode’ on Facebook pulls from public info across its platforms
Meta announced on Monday a series of new AI features for Facebook, aiming to catch up in the AI race and boost engagement. The most significant update is “AI Mode,” a search function that uses Meta AI to generate answers pulled from public posts across the platform, including Groups and Reels, rather than displaying traditional search results. Users can ask questions in plain language and receive synthesized responses based on real discussions. This follows Meta’s recent quiet launch of Forum, a Reddit-style app with its own AI “Ask” tab that pulls answers from Facebook Groups discussions. Both features raise concerns about reliability, as the AI summarizes content from everyday users instead of vetted sources, risking outdated or misleading information—similar to issues seen with Google’s AI Mode on Reddit. Additional updates include editing tools for video montages (collage cutouts, transition effects) and AI-powered photo presets that let users change clothes, hairstyles, and accessories. For example, sports fans can virtually wear team jerseys by using the “AI Edit” icon in Stories or profile picture settings. These new features join a growing list of AI tools Meta has added recently: animated profile pictures (February), AI auto-replies for Marketplace (March), and an AI assistant for creators offering personalized posting tips and comment summaries (April). Taken together, the releases reflect Meta’s broader strategy to make Facebook stickier and more useful while diversifying revenue. Alongside these updates, the company has launched global subscription plans for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, starting at $3.99 per month, with more AI-related subscription tiers reportedly in development.