Meta is extending its AI assistant into Threads direct messages, letting users have private conversations with the chatbot without leaving the app. The integration, announced Monday, brings Meta AI into the same messaging space where users already share posts and links. Main Developments Threads users can now send posts, images, links, and videos directly to Meta AI within their DMs. The chatbot can answer follow-up questions and help explore topics in greater depth, functioning as a conversational search tool inside the messaging interface. Meta AI was already available in DMs on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The Threads rollout began Monday and will reach users globally, though the company did not specify a completion date for the expansion. Read also: Google’s AI Overviews Now Cover 43% of Searches, Data Shows Users in select markets could previously interact with Meta AI in public Threads posts, similar to how X users engage with Grok. The new private chat option offers a more controlled environment for those who prefer not to share AI interactions publicly. Background Meta has been testing AI replies in Threads public feeds in a handful of global markets. The company says it is reviewing user feedback before deciding whether to expand that feature more broadly. For users who want to reduce AI visibility in their feed, Meta provides several controls: muting the @meta.ai account, selecting the “Not interested” option on any Meta AI post, or hiding AI replies that appear on their own posts. The move follows a broader industry trend of embedding AI assistants directly into social platforms. X offers Grok within its interface, and Meta now positions its own assistant across its family of apps as a way to keep users inside its ecosystem rather than turning to external tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Why It Matters By adding AI chat to Threads DMs, Meta aims to make its X competitor a one-stop destination for information and recommendations. Users can ask questions, share content, and get answers without switching apps or opening a separate search engine. This integration also strengthens Meta’s strategy of weaving AI throughout its product lineup. If users rely on Meta AI for everyday queries, they have less reason to visit rival AI platforms, giving Meta more control over the user experience and data flow. What's Next Meta will continue testing AI in public Threads feeds in select markets, gathering feedback before a wider launch. The company has not announced a timeline for expanding that feature globally. Additional refinements to the DM chatbot—such as support for more media types or deeper integration with Threads’ trending topics—may arrive as Meta observes how people use the tool in private conversations.