Meta Adds AI to Private Messages on Threads

Meta announced the rollout of its AI assistant, Meta AI, in direct messages (DMs) on the Threads app, enabling users to have private conversations with the AI bot directly within the platform.

Previously, Threads users in a limited number of markets could interact with Meta AI through public posts, similar to the Grok service on X. However, the new update allows users for the first time to engage in private conversations with the AI assistant within direct messages.

By integrating Meta AI more deeply into Threads, Meta aims to keep users within its digital ecosystem and reduce their reliance on competing AI assistants such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

This expansion follows the company’s prior introduction of Meta AI in direct messages on its other apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

The new update allows users to share Threads posts, images, links, and videos directly with Meta AI within private conversations, and to ask follow-up questions to receive more detailed answers on various topics.

Meta confirmed that the update will begin rolling out to users worldwide starting Monday.

Meanwhile, the company stated it continues to test integrating Meta AI into public posts on Threads in a limited number of global markets, noting that it is reviewing user feedback before expanding the feature’s availability.

Meta added that users who do not wish to see Meta AI responses in their feed can mute the @meta.ai account, select the “Not interested” option on AI posts, or hide replies posted by the AI assistant on their own posts.

This update reflects Meta’s strategy to transform Threads into a comprehensive platform that goes beyond following posts, enabling users to access information, recommendations, and answers via AI without leaving the app or using external services.