Threads is experimenting with a Meta AI integration that functions similarly to X’s Grok. Users with a public profile will have the ability to mention Meta AI in a post or reply for additional context. This feature is currently in beta testing across Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Argentina, and Singapore.

Meta informed TechCrunch via email that the capability aims to assist individuals in gaining real-time insight into trends and breaking news, as well as provide recommendations, all within chats.

Users can now invoke Meta AI to inquire about topics such as, “Why is there buzz about the World Cup this month?,” “Which Met Gala outfits are gaining attention right now?,” or “What’s the Knicks’ status in the playoffs?” Meta AI will then process the request and reply as a public response posted by the @meta.ai account. It will reply in the language used in the original post.

By incorporating Meta AI into its platform, Threads is positioning itself not merely as a location for discussing news and trends but also as a source for information and recommendations without necessitating leaving the app.

The concept mirrors Grok’s function on X, which is populated with user posts posing questions to the AI chatbot, such as, “Is this authentic?” or “Clarify this.” Naturally, giving an AI chatbot this degree of exposure poses risks, as witnessed on X when Grok produced posts that praised Hitler. Nevertheless, Meta AI is equipped with notably stronger safeguards than Grok, though it is yet to be determined if it will encounter similar problems.

Meta emphasizes that if users wish to see fewer replies from Meta AI in their feed, they can mute @meta.ai, select the “Not interested” option on any Meta AI post, or hide a Meta AI response that appears directly on their post.

The company states it intends to gather insights from early feedback and will work on enhancing the experience before broadening it to a wider audience.