Meta rolls out new AI search and editing tools on Facebook

Meta unveiled a new set of AI features on Facebook on Monday night, aiming to narrow the gap in the artificial intelligence race and change how people search, create content, and interact with the platform. The main addition is AI Mode, a new search experience powered by Meta AI that can answer questions using public posts across Facebook, including Groups and Reels.

Instead of scrolling through search results, users can ask in natural language and receive responses based on what people are saying across the social network. Facebook also introduced new editing tools for videos and photos, making it easier to create collages and add special effects between video clips.

Another new feature is AI-based Presets for images, pre-made design templates that automatically change a photo’s appearance, including clothing, hairstyles, and accessories. Sports fans, for example, can dress themselves in their favorite team’s jersey by tapping the AI Edit icon in a Story and choosing Wear It, or by opening their profile picture and selecting Restyle profile picture with AI and Wardrobe.

Earlier this month, Facebook launched an AI assistant for creators that offers personalized recommendations, including the best times to post and summaries of what audiences are saying in comments, based on the creator’s content and performance history. The new features are built on Muse Spark, the AI model Meta launched in April, its first large model since buying Scale AI about a year ago and appointing Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang to run its AI lab. The company’s earlier models were not successful, leading CEO Mark Zuckerberg to change strategy. Meta also recently launched premium subscription plans for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp starting at $3.99 a month, and reports say more AI-related subscriptions are expected later.