Facebooks AI Learns A New Language

Facebook’s M, the part of Messenger powered by artificial intelligence, can now be used in two languages: English and Spanish.

If you use the Facebook Messenger app, you’ve probably encountered M, it’s the pop up that suggests you order food through the app when you tell your friend you’re hungry. The assistant attempts to link users up with external services like Uber and also payment services within the Messenger app. If your friend asks for money, it automatically pops up with payment options.

The Spanish version will be available to all U.S.-based users, and will automatically detect if a conversation on the app is in Spanish and switch language. “To experience M, simply chat with a friend or a group as you normally would,” the company wrote on Facebook. “When M detects a conversation relevant to the topics listed above, you’ll see the M logo and suggestion – it’s that simple!”

If you find the M suggestions annoying, you can always mute them in the settings. The M feature is only available to American and some Mexican users at this point, and the company has said it could take years before it’s available to everyone.

All of the major players in the technology industry are racing to get ahead in the world of artificial intelligence. Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently said the company has switched from a mobile first viewpoint to an “AI first world”. The company also recently announced almost all of its products would be boosted with AI technology, including Gmail, which can now suggest answers to users based on the email they’ve received.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.