After Apple, Meta has now decided not to launch its upcoming multimodal Llama AI model in the European Union, amid its stringent regulatory scenario. With this decision, European companies cannot use the multimodal model, despite it being released under an open license.

“We will release a multimodal Llama model over the coming months, but not in the EU due to the unpredictable nature of the European regulatory environment,” Meta spokesperson Kate McLaughlin said to The Verge. 

A text-only version of Meta’s Llama 3 model will still reportedly launch in the EU. Meta says its multimodal AI models will be utilized in products like the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. 

According to Axios, Meta’s EU snub will also extend to future multimodal AI model releases, excluding a larger, text-only version of the Llama 3 model, making it available for EU customers.

In addition, this leaves certain companies stranded, as those that were willing to provide products and services that leverage the models will now be prevented from entering one of the largest global economic markets.