Zuckerberg Plans Meta AI App to Compete with ChatGPT

Select Language:

After establishing a strong presence in social media, Mark Zuckerberg is now setting his sights on making Meta AI a key player in the artificial intelligence sector. According to a recent report from CNBC, Zuckerberg is planning to introduce a standalone Meta AI app to rival ChatGPT. Sources close to the situation indicate that the project is still under wraps, but the company aims to roll out the Meta AI app by the second quarter of this year.

Currently, Meta AI is embedded in several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The company initially believed this was the most effective way to implement AI technology and reach over a billion users. However, Meta is reconsidering its strategy, arguing that a dedicated app similar to ChatGPT could enhance accessibility for users.

Additionally, the company is contemplating a subscription-based model for Meta AI, similar to ChatGPT Plus. This would allow Meta to provide enhanced features and tools to its paying users.

OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, recently announced that it has around 400 million weekly active users. By contrast, the standalone Meta AI website attracts roughly 10 million visits a month. However, according to Meta’s finance chief, Susan Li, when factoring in the combined usage across its social media platforms, Meta AI reaches an impressive 700 million active users monthly.

Despite this high usage, Meta AI still lags behind ChatGPT when considering individual platforms. It seems Zuckerberg is pouring significant resources into winning over users with the new Meta AI app. Recently, Elon Musk also introduced the Grok app for iPhone, launched a new standalone website, and is in the process of developing an Android version.

In response to these developments, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, shared on X, “Okay fine, maybe we’ll create a social app.” He humorously added, “It would be hilarious if Facebook tried to go after us and we just turned the tables on them! 🤣”

Major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta are currently facing challenges in driving AI adoption while showcasing innovative new use cases. In a recent podcast, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella advised caution, stating:

“The classic supply side approach is, ‘Let me build it, and they’ll come.’ That mindset has its pitfalls. It’s crucial for supply and demand to align. While it’s essential to take risks and innovate, one should not lose sight of delivering real value to customers.”

While Meta AI has rolled out features like AI image editing, generation, voice chat, and translation in its apps, users seem less enthusiastic about these improvements. In fact, many users express a desire to disable Meta AI on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. What are your thoughts on Meta’s plan to launch a standalone AI app? Would you consider switching from ChatGPT to Meta AI? Share your opinions with us in the comments below.