Meta expands AI features to Threads direct messages

Friday 31 July 2026 - 09:09

By: Azzat Manal

Meta expands AI features to Threads direct messages

Meta has announced the rollout of its Meta AI assistant to direct messages (DMs) on Threads, marking another step in the company's strategy to integrate artificial intelligence across its family of social media platforms. The update allows users to interact privately with the AI assistant without leaving the app, expanding its functionality beyond public conversations.

Previously, Meta AI was available to selected Threads users through public posts in limited markets. With the new feature, users can now ask questions, seek recommendations, and receive AI-generated responses in private chats, creating a more personalized experience within the platform.

The integration also enables users to share Threads posts, photos, videos, links, and other content directly with Meta AI in private conversations. The assistant can analyze the shared material, provide explanations, answer follow-up questions, and offer additional context, making it a more interactive tool for everyday use.

The latest expansion reflects Meta's broader effort to strengthen its AI ecosystem and compete with leading conversational AI services such as ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. By embedding AI more deeply into Threads, alongside Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, the company aims to keep users engaged within its own digital environment rather than relying on external AI platforms.

At the same time, Meta continues testing AI-generated interactions in public Threads posts in selected markets. The company says it is gathering user feedback before introducing the feature more widely and has also provided options for users to limit or hide AI-generated content if they prefer a more traditional social media experience.

As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly important part of online communication, Meta's latest update highlights the growing trend of transforming social media platforms into comprehensive digital assistants that combine messaging, content discovery, and AI-powered information services in a single application.