Ask Meta AI... What's up with the search bar on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram?

Lester Kiewit speaks to Nazareen Ebrahim, CEO of Naz Consulting International.

If your phone has updated recently, you might have noticed a blue, purplish circle next to the search bar on WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram.

"It looks like an eyeless eye that's keeping an eye on you. It's kinda creepy but cool at the same time," says Ebrahim. 

What is it for?

It's Meta's (Mark Zuckerberg's company) version of AI (artificial intelligence).

"It's Meta's introduction to us as standard users as being immersed in generative AI assistant capabilities."

- Nazareen Ebrahim, CEO - Naz Consulting International.

For example, if you use ChatGPT and know what it can do for you, Meta AI serves a similar purpose.

For now, it acts like a normal search bar but can also provide you with generated details on prompts you type into it.

For example, you can ask Meta AI to type a message to someone, send you a specific photo or call a contact. 

Over time, Meta AI will mimic the personalised way you type or speak to people through data collection.

"Meta is never really clear on how they collect your data", warns Ebrahim.

Users cannot delete or in any way get rid of the flashy circle.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.