Tech Desk 
Nov 18, 2024
Meta is preparing to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) features to users of its Ray-Ban AR glasses in France, Italy, and Spain. Beginning Monday, users in these countries can invoke Meta’s AI assistant, Meta AI, using their voice to get answers to general questions.
Meta AI now supports French, Italian, and Spanish in addition to English as part of the update, according to Meta.
In a blog post, Meta stated: “Since we launched in September 2023, we have been diligently working to ensure that Ray-Ban Meta glasses comply with Europe’s complex regulatory system.”
“We are excited to begin bringing Meta AI and its innovative features to parts of the European law (EU) and look forward to expanding to more European countries soon,” the company added.
However, the update will not include multimodal features available on Ray-Ban Meta glasses in the United States (US), Canada, and Australia — namely the power to receive answers to questions about what’s given to the glasses’ camera.
Read more: Harvard students modify Ray-Ban Meta glasses, integrate facial recognition
Earlier, Meta has emphasised concerns about its ability to comply with the AI Act, the EU law that prepares a legal and regulatory framework for AI — calling the law’s implementation “too unpredictable.” Also at issue for the company are provisions in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the EU’s privacy law, about AI training.
Meta trains AI models, including the models that power features of its Ray-Ban Meta glasses, on the public data of Instagram and Facebook users who haven’t opted out — data that, in Europe, is subject to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guarantees.
Previously this year, EU regulators requested that Meta halt training on European user data while they assessed the company’s GDPR compliance. Meta relented, while at the same time endorsing an open letter calling for “a modern interpretation” of GDPR that doesn’t “reject progress.”
Earlier, Meta claimed to continue training on United Kingdom (UK) user data after “regulatory feedback” into a revised opt-out process. And, shortly afterwards, the company brought select AI capabilities to Ray-Ban Meta glasses in the UK, along with six other countries.
