Meta Joins the AI Race with Its Own Standalone Assistant App

Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, has launched its very first independent AI assistant app. It's a bold move that clearly positions the company as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, giving users another way to explore the power of generative AI.

Mark Zuckerberg made the announcement through an Instagram video, sharing that over a billion people are already using Meta AI through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. With that kind of reach, creating a dedicated app was the logical next step.

The new app is designed to feel more personal. You can interact with it using your voice, and the AI aims to tailor its responses based on your preferences. At first, the personalization is simple, it learns just a bit about what you're interested in. But over time, if you allow it, Meta AI will get to know much more about you and your social connections across Meta’s platforms.

What makes this app stand out is its social angle. Staying true to Meta’s roots, the assistant includes a feature where users can browse AI-generated content from others, kind of like a mini social feed. It’s an interesting twist on the typical chatbot experience.

Another cool feature is its integration with Meta’s smart glasses. The new app replaces Meta View as the companion for the Ray-Ban Meta glasses. That means you can start a conversation with Meta AI on your glasses and continue it seamlessly on your phone or desktop. It's all about staying connected across devices.

Meta’s launch comes at a time when ChatGPT is still leading the AI space, constantly evolving with new features. But with its massive user base and a fresh spin on how people interact with AI, Meta could bring some serious competition to the table.