Meta AI expands to the Middle East and Africa with Arabic language support

Meta has launched its AI-powered chatbot, Meta AI, across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), introducing its virtual assistant to millions of new users.

In October 2024, Meta announced that it would be expanding its AI assistant into several new international markets, including Brazil and the United Kingdom. At that time, the company hinted at further expansion into additional regions, including MENA. Now, the tech giant has followed through on that promise by making Meta AI available in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen. Alongside the regional rollout, Meta has introduced support for Arabic, ensuring a more seamless user experience for native speakers.

Meta AI is designed to function as an intuitive digital assistant, capable of enhancing conversations and helping users with various tasks. In supported countries, users can activate the assistant by tagging @meta in chat applications like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. The AI can provide recommendations for restaurants, suggest songs for playlists, and offer quick answers to general queries. However, the features available will vary by country based on local regulations and data privacy policies.

Beyond its chatbot functions, Meta has ambitious plans for AI in the MENA region. The company is preparing to introduce multimodal AI tools, including “Imagine Me,” a feature that generates stylistic AI-enhanced selfies, and audio dubbing for Instagram Reels. These tools aim to deepen user engagement by providing new ways to create and interact with digital content.

With the latest expansion, Meta AI now operates in 42 countries and supports 13 different languages. Across its various platforms—including WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, and Facebook—the AI assistant already serves approximately 700 million users worldwide. This rapid adoption underscores the growing demand for AI-driven interactions in digital communication.

Despite its increasing global footprint, Meta AI’s feature set varies by region due to differing data privacy regulations. For example, in some European markets, regulatory restrictions limit Meta AI’s capabilities to answering general questions exclusively on Ray-Ban Meta AR glasses. As Meta continues its expansion, it must navigate the complex landscape of global data protection laws to ensure compliance while delivering a robust AI experience.