Meta Platforms is exploring the possibility of launching a paid version of its AI-powered assistant, Meta AI, as it aims to compete with other tech giants in the rapidly evolving AI market. This move comes as Meta continues to invest heavily in AI and seeks to establish itself as a leader in the field.
Meta AI Free Features
Meta AI, built using the company’s latest large language model called Meta Llama 3, is already available for free across Meta’s social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. The AI assistant can help users with various tasks, such as:
- Providing restaurant recommendations and planning vacations
- Offering creative inspiration, like generating high-quality animations and images
- Solving math problems and drafting professional emails on the ‘meta.ai’ website
- Generating images from text in real-time using the Imagine feature, currently in beta on WhatsApp and the MetaAI website
Users can seamlessly access Meta AI through the search box in the respective apps and save their conversations for future reference on the ‘meta.ai’ website.
Potential Premium Version
While the specific features and pricing of the potential premium version of Meta AI remain undisclosed, Meta’s AI capabilities, particularly in virtual and augmented reality, could translate into unique offerings for its paid assistant. The introduction of a premium tier could significantly impact the competitive landscape of AI assistants, as Meta joins the ranks of Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic, who currently offer monthly subscriptions for their chatbots priced between $20 to $25.
Meta Advisory Group
To inform its AI and technology efforts, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has created the Meta Advisory Group, a product advisory council composed of executives from companies like Stripe, GitHub, Shopify, and Microsoft. The group will:
- Meet periodically with Meta’s management team to provide insights and recommendations on technological advancements, innovation, and strategic growth opportunities
- Offer guidance without being paid or having a fiduciary duty to the company, unlike Meta’s board of directors
The creation of this advisory group aligns with Meta’s aim to strengthen its focus on AI-focused products, including hardware devices like virtual reality headsets and smart glasses, as well as software products such as Meta AI.
Zuckerberg’s AI Vision
During Meta’s recent earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed optimism about the company’s potential to become the leading AI company in the world. However, he also emphasized the need for patience, as many of Meta’s AI efforts may not yield immediate financial returns. Meta faces competition from rivals like Google, Microsoft, and startup Anthropic in the race to develop AI models that can drive the next generation of tech products.Zuckerberg’s vision for AI was evident from the first minute of the earnings call, where he brought up AI and the metaverse. Meta’s earnings released that day showed the company plans to spend $5 billion more than initially forecasted on developing new AI products for consumers, developers, businesses, and hardware manufacturers, signaling an aggressive push in the escalating tech arms race.
