An Unexpected Move by Meta Changes the Rules of Artificial Intelligence
Meta, the social media giant, has launched its first standalone application powered by intelligent AI assistance, in a clear move to compete with platforms like ChatGPT by providing users with direct access to generative AI models.
Mark Zuckerberg, the company's founder and CEO, announced the launch in a video on Instagram, noting that over one billion users are already interacting with the 'Meta AI' system across the company's various apps. The new release comes in the form of a standalone app, offering users a personalized and direct experience.
Zuckerberg explained that the app is designed to serve as a personal assistant for each user, relying primarily on voice interaction and tailoring responses to individual interests. Initially, the app uses minimal contextual information, but over time—and with user consent—it will be able to learn more about users' habits and social circles through Meta's connected apps. The AI is based on the open-source generative model 'LLaMA,' which has garnered significant attention from developers and has been downloaded over a billion times, making it one of the most widely used models in its category.
The app features a design aligned with Meta's social nature, allowing users to share AI-generated posts and view them in a personalized feed. It's powered by a newer version of the model known as 'LLaMA 4,' which brings more personalized and flexible interactions. Users can also choose to save shared information to avoid repeating it in future conversations. Additionally, the app offers the ability to search within Facebook and Instagram content—provided prior permission is granted.
This app serves as an alternative to the 'Meta View' app used with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, enabling seamless interaction across glasses, mobile, and desktop platforms through a unified interface.
The launch comes at a time when major tech companies are racing to release intelligent assistants aimed directly at users, with OpenAI still leading the market through the ongoing development of ChatGPT and its continuous integration of advanced features.
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