Meta is getting serious about its artificial intelligence chatbot and plans to launch a standalone AI app in the next few months, according to unnamed sources, reports CNBC.
This move is part of Meta’s bigger goal—to become the top player in AI by the end of the year, competing with OpenAI and Google’s parent company, Alphabet.
Currently, Meta AI is built into Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. It acts as a chatbot, answering questions and generating images. But soon, it could become its own app, making it easier for users to interact with it, similar to ChatGPT. Even Elon Musk’s xAI and its Grok chatbot has a standalone app, which temporarily surged to the top of the App Store.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made it clear that AI is a top priority. “This is going to be the year when a highly intelligent and personalized AI assistant reaches more than 1 billion people,” he said in January.
Right now, Meta AI is available on the web and inside Meta’s apps, but it lacks the direct access and engagement that competitors like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini have. By launching a separate app, Meta hopes to give users a more personalized experience and expand AI across its platforms, including its Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Meta is also exploring a subscription plan for Meta AI, similar to OpenAI’s model, which charges users for access to premium AI features. If there’s money to be made, it’s clear there’s a massive Meta user base that might pay for it.
Other recent generative AI models released include Amazon’s Alexa+, coming to devices in the U.S. first next month, then expanding gradually to more countries. Even Amazon is going to charge $19.99 US/month for Alexa+, for those that aren’t subscribed to Prime.
Would you want a dedicated Meta AI app? Have you been using Meta AI at all?
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