Mark Zuckerberg announced during Meta’s latest earnings call that the company is launching AI agents designed to assist businesses via WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger. The initiative was unveiled at the Conversations event in London, where the new tool was officially named the “Meta Business Agent.” This agent enables business owners to delegate tasks such as customer interactions and appointment bookings.
The Meta Business Agent has the capability to “close sales” and recommend products. Business owners can join interactions at any point, allowing for seamless transitions between automated tasks and human oversight. Meta has been testing these agents with small businesses in India, Mexico, and Brazil, reporting over one million sign-ups before the rollout.
Now available for any business operating on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger, the agents represent a significant step beyond Meta’s previous efforts at automation. The company aims for these AI agents to eventually handle comprehensive business operations, but Zuckerberg noted that achieving this vision will depend on advancements in AI technology.
Meta is also developing advanced functionalities for the agents to engage in behind-the-scenes business tasks. These capabilities include conducting market research, providing competitive intelligence, and integrating with calendar management tools. However, these advanced features are not yet broadly accessible, and interested businesses must join a waitlist.
While initial access to the Meta Business Agent is free, Meta indicated plans to introduce subscription fees for its AI services in the coming months. The specifics of these fees have not yet been disclosed.
