Meta AI’s Independence: Zuckerberg Is Unwilling to Be Just a "Supporting Role"

TradingKey - Although Mark Zuckerberg has already launched AI functions on his popular social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, the CEO's vision for AI goes beyond that. Sources say that Meta will launch a standalone Meta AI software in the second quarter to compete with ChatGPT and others.

On Thursday, February 27th, according to a report by CNBC citing sources familiar with the matter, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, plans to launch a standalone AI app in the second quarter of this year, instead of embedding AI functions in its series of social apps as it does now.

Meta launched an AI chatbot in September 2023, positioning it as an AI digital assistant, and then used it to replace the search function on platforms like Facebook.

Despite having the advantage of a platform ecosystem, Zuckerberg is not content with just playing a supporting role in the development of artificial intelligence. If Meta creates a standalone AI application, it will be a further step in Zuckerberg's AI plan.

Zuckerberg said during the Q4 earnings call in January, “This is going to be the year when a highly intelligent and personalized AI assistant reaches more than 1 billion people, and I expect Meta AI to be that leading AI assistant.”

Some opinions suggest that a separate Meta AI application can help the company integrate the AI functions of smartphones and different hardware platforms (such as smart glasses) and provide users with a deeper level of personalized and customized experience.

The company is planning to test a paid subscription service for Meta AI, similar to how OpenAI and Microsoft charge users a monthly fee.

Regarding CNBC's report, Zuckerberg also confirmed on the X platform, "ok fine maybe we’ll do a social app."