Meta is reportedly developing a dedicated application for its AI assistant, Meta AI, that aims to boost its competitive standing against AI-driven chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.
Sources indicate that Meta may launch the standalone Meta AI application as early as the second quarter of this year (April-June). Currently, Meta AI is accessible to users through a website and Meta’s suite of apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. A standalone app could extend Meta’s reach to individuals who may not actively use these platforms.
Meta also intends to experiment with a paid subscription model for Meta AI, similar to those offered by OpenAI and Microsoft. This subscription would add unspecified capabilities to the AI assistant.
Meta anticipates that revenue from this service will not be significant until 2026.
Meta AI, which launched in September 2023, boasts features such as voice interaction, image analysis, and the ability to generate images. Users can also mention @Meta AI in group chats for tailored recommendations.
These developments are part of Meta’s strategy to become a dominant force in the AI sector. Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced plans to invest up to $65 billion this year to expand the company’s AI infrastructure.
Furthermore, Meta is forming a new division within its Reality Labs unit to develop AI-powered humanoid robots designed to assist with physical tasks. The company also plans to host its first AI-focused developer conference on April 29th.
In related news, Meta is actively studying and potentially adapting innovations from Chinese startup DeepSeek’s more economical AI model for its own Llama AI models. Despite advancements in AI, some experts recommend caution when using certain chatbots for coding, including Meta AI and Meta Code Llama.