So, all those faked review quotes from the Megalopolis trailer that got pulled last week were apparently AI, after all. Not only that, but the person who was in charge of the materials for the trailer, Eddie Egan, has been removed from the movie’s marketing team.

That’s all according to Deadline, which reported on Friday that the AI-ness of it all was confirmed in an investigation after the fact. Neither Egan nor Megalopolis studio Lionsgate meant to fake the quotes, which had purported to be critical notes from contemporaneous reviews of Megalopolis director Francis Ford Coppola’s past films.

According to some of the trailer’s quotes, critics had called The Godfather a “sloppy, self-indulgent movie,” while Apocalypse Now was “an epic piece of trash.” But as Vulture noted when it first reported on the quotes’ spuriousness, the actual reviews the quotes were attributed to not only didn’t say those things, but often were actually written in praise of the movies.

It’s easy to see how this could have happened. AI’s casual, confident delivery of falsehoods is well documented at this point; even the companies that make AI products end up with factual errors in their own presentations.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov is reportedly in custody after being arrested near Paris Saturday evening as he was departing his private jet. The billionaire was apprehended on a warrant related to a preliminary investigation, writes Reuters.

French authorities believe that the platform’s lack of moderation has “allowed criminal activity to go on undeterred on the messaging app.” Durov will go before a judge tonight and could be indicted as early as Sunday, according to sources for TF1 TV (which we read using Google Translate), one of two French outlets cited by Reuters.

Telegram has become a critical resource as people turn to it to find crucial information in places where heavy information censorship is common, such as Russia. But Durov’s preference for hands-off moderation has also helped make it a haven for bad actors, with the platform only controlling its content when it’s forced to do so by other governments and organizations.

Meta’s artificial intelligence chatbot, powered by Llama 3, is designed to make your online experience smoother and more enjoyable across platforms like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp. Imagine having a helpful assistant that can quickly answer your questions, provide useful information and even help you create content — all right at your fingertips.

Whether you’re looking for quick facts, inspiration for your next project or just want to explore new topics, Meta AI can be a handy tool. 

However, it’s important to stay aware of privacy concerns and the possibility of inaccuracies. We’ll show you how to make the most of Meta’s AI while keeping your personal information safe and ensuring the information you receive is accurate.

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Understanding Meta AI’s capabilities

Meta AI is designed to answer questions, provide information and compose content, making it a versatile tool for users. It integrates seamlessly into Meta’s social media platforms, allowing you to interact with it through familiar interfaces. However, the chatbot’s reliance on Meta’s infrastructure has raised privacy concerns, given the company’s history with data management.

Meta’s AI chatbot  (Meta)

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Ensuring your privacy when using Meta AI

To maintain your privacy while using Meta AI, you might consider not logging in with your Facebook account. This choice can help keep your personal data more secure, as it limits the amount of information Meta can use for AI training purposes. However, not logging in comes with certain limitations. For instance, you may not be able to save a conversation history or sync chats across different platforms, which could reduce the convenience and functionality of the AI features.

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How to use Meta AI on different platforms

On the Web

Meta AI is accessible through its dedicated website, providing a user-friendly interface for various tasks. You can log in using your Facebook account to save conversation history and sync chats, enhancing your experience. For those concerned about privacy, the site can be used without logging in; however, this may restrict certain features.

Navigate to the site: Open your web browser and go to www.meta.ai. The site is compatible with both mobile and desktop devices.

Sign in for full features: To take full advantage of Meta AI’s capabilities, log in with your Facebook account. This allows you to save your conversation history and access personalized features.

Start a conversation: After logging in, type your queries into the chat box. Meta AI can assist you with a variety of tasks, including generating text, answering questions and providing creative suggestions.

Create visuals: To generate images, type a detailed prompt starting with “Imagine.” For example, “Imagine a tiger wearing a vest drinking tea at a cafe.” Then, submit your prompt by clicking the up arrow. Meta AI will generate four images based on your description, which you can download or modify.

Meta’s AI chatbot  (Meta)

Using Meta AI without logging in: If you choose not to log in, you can still interact with Meta AI. However, your conversation history will not be saved, and some functionalities, like generating images, are not available.

Meta’s AI chatbot  (Meta)

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On Facebook

Within the Facebook app, Meta AI can help you find information and explore topics related to posts.

Use the Search Function: Within the Facebook app, tap the search icon to interact with Meta AI. You can ask questions or explore topics related to posts without leaving the app.

Verify Information: It’s advisable to verify any factual information obtained because AI-generated responses may not always be accurate.

Meta’s AI chatbot  (Meta)

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On Messenger

Meta AI is integrated into Messenger, where it can answer your questions and provide advice.

Start a conversation: In a chat, type @MetaAI to invite Meta AI into the conversation. This allows the AI to provide recommendations, answer questions or offer creative inspiration.

Enhance chats: Use Meta AI to enhance group chats with advice, recommendations or to settle debates.

Meta’s AI chatbot  (Meta)

On Instagram

Using Meta AI on Instagram is easy.

Open the App: Launch Instagram on your mobile device and tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen.

Interact with Meta AI: You can either choose one of the suggestions that appears or type in your own query. For instance, if you need skin care tips, type “5 tips for glowing skin” where it says Ask Meta Ai or Search, and then Meta AI will provide answers.

Meta’s AI chatbot  (Meta)

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On WhatsApp

Meta AI can be utilized seamlessly in WhatsApp, enhancing your messaging experience.

Access Meta AI: Open WhatsApp and navigate to the Chats screen. Tap on the Ask Meta AI or Search field to start interacting.

Get Suggestions: For example, if planning a vacation, you can ask, “What are some fun activities to do in Bali?” Meta AI will offer tailored suggestions.

Group Chats: In group chats, type “@Meta AI” followed by your question. The AI will respond within the chat, allowing everyone to see the conversation.

Meta’s AI chatbot  (Meta)

By using Meta AI across these platforms, you can enhance your social media experience, making it easier to find information and create engaging content.

No off switch for Meta AI 

Meta’s recent integration of AI into the search bars of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp has left some users looking for ways to turn it off. Unfortunately, there’s no simple way to disable this new feature.

Meta AI is now a core part of the search functionality across Meta’s platforms. There’s no option in the settings to remove or disable it from the search bars. While this may frustrate users who prefer a more traditional search experience, Meta seems committed to keeping AI as a central part of its apps. If you’re not a fan of the AI suggestions, you can still use the search functions as you normally would. Simply ignore the AI prompts and type your query as usual. The regular search results will still appear alongside any AI-generated suggestions.

It’s worth noting that Meta hasn’t provided an opt-out option for this AI integration. This suggests it views it as an essential part of how search now works across its apps rather than an optional feature.

While some users may need time to adjust to this new AI-powered search experience, it seems Meta AI is here to stay for the foreseeable future. The best approach for now is to learn to work around it if you prefer not to engage with the AI features.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Meta’s AI chatbot is a big game changer in how we interact with technology on social media, offering a variety of helpful features across platforms like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp. While this tool can enhance your online experience, it’s important to be mindful of privacy concerns and the possibility of inaccuracies in the information it provides. By learning how to use Meta AI effectively and taking care to protect your personal information, you can fully enjoy the benefits of this innovative tool while minimizing risks.

What are your thoughts on the role of AI in our daily lives and how do you see it impacting your interactions on social media and beyond? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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