Meta plans standalone AI app amid rising competition in AI space

Meta AI has been one of the few AI assistants that remain free to access, offering advanced features such as text-to-image generation and voice mode.

By  Storyboard18Feb 28, 2025 11:17 AM
Meta plans standalone AI app amid rising competition in AI space
Meta’s standalone AI app will position the company more aggressively in the highly competitive AI assistant space.

Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is reportedly planning to launch a standalone Meta AI app in the second quarter of this year, according to a CNBC report. Currently, Meta AI is integrated within the company’s suite of apps, including WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. The move signals a major step in Zuckerberg’s ambition to make Meta a leader in artificial intelligence by the end of 2024.

The decision comes at a time when Elon Musk’s xAI has already launched its own standalone iOS app, with an Android version expected soon. The competition in the AI space is heating up, with several players rolling out new features and models to gain an edge.

Meta AI’s Expansion and Monetization Plans

Meta AI has been one of the few AI assistants that remain free to access, offering advanced features such as text-to-image generation and voice mode. However, the company is now considering introducing a paid subscription model, similar to OpenAI and xAI, to provide users with access to a more powerful version of its chatbot.

“This is going to be the year when a highly intelligent and personalized AI assistant reaches more than 1 billion people, and I expect Meta AI to be that leading AI assistant,” Zuckerberg had stated during an earnings call in January.

The move also reflects Meta’s broader efforts to explore revenue-generating opportunities beyond its core social media platforms, especially as Chinese open-source competitor DeepSeek AI** gains traction in the AI space.

The AI sector is witnessing rapid advancements and new launches from major tech players. Since DeepSeek AI’s cost-effective models gained popularity in January, other AI giants have been racing to introduce new offerings such as OpenAI recently launched its GPT-4o Mini reasoning model and Deep Research AI agent, Musk’s xAI introduced a new pre-trained Grok 3 model and a Deep Search tool. Meanwhile, Anthropic unveiled its latest Claude 3.7 Sonnet model.

As the AI market evolves, Meta’s standalone AI app will position the company more aggressively in the highly competitive AI assistant space. The planned subscription service could also help Meta generate revenue, competing directly with OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus and xAI’s Grok subscriptions.

First Published on Feb 28, 2025 11:17 AM

More from Storyboard18

Digital

If YouTube, Netflix, Google have child filters, why don't quick commerce apps? Viral LinkedIn post sparks debate

If YouTube, Netflix, Google have child filters, why don't quick commerce apps? Viral LinkedIn post sparks debate

How it Works

Tech game on: Karnataka to launch ambitious AI Mission with new IT policy

Tech game on: Karnataka to launch ambitious AI Mission with new IT policy

Digital

Google offers Indian college students free access to Rs 19,500 AI Pro plan to boost digital learning

Google offers Indian college students free access to Rs 19,500 AI Pro plan to boost digital learning

Digital

Meta acquires AI startup PlayAI

Meta acquires AI startup PlayAI

Digital

$8 bn trial kicks off against Meta leaders over Facebook data harvesting

$8 bn trial kicks off against Meta leaders over Facebook data harvesting

Digital

Meta CEO Zuckerberg: Top AI talent attracted not just by paycheques

Meta CEO Zuckerberg: Top AI talent attracted not just by paycheques

Brand Marketing

Zomato's SRK ad: A high-budget diversion from real issues?

Zomato's SRK ad: A high-budget diversion from real issues?

Advertising

“AI is supercharging creativity”: Omnicom CEO John Wren bets big on agentic AI to fuel next phase of growth

“AI is supercharging creativity”: Omnicom CEO John Wren bets big on agentic AI to fuel next phase of growth