Meta is set to introduce a standalone Meta AI app in the second quarter of 2025, aiming to enhance user engagement and compete directly with AI services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.
This move aligns with CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vision to position Meta as a leader in artificial intelligence by the end of the year.
Currently, Meta AI is integrated into platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The forthcoming standalone app is expected to offer users deeper personalization and integration across various devices, potentially including compatibility with hardware like Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
In addition to the new app, Meta plans to test a paid subscription service for Meta AI, providing users with access to more advanced chatbot features. This strategy mirrors monetization approaches by competitors, offering premium versions of their AI tools for a monthly fee.
While immediate significant revenue from the subscription is not anticipated, this move is part of Meta’s broader strategy to strengthen its AI infrastructure and explore new revenue streams beyond its traditional social media platforms.
As of January 2025, Meta AI boasts approximately 700 million monthly active users, with India emerging as its largest market. The introduction of a standalone app and subscription model is expected to expand this user base further and enhance user interaction with Meta’s AI offerings.
Sam Altman’s Response
In response to Meta’s announcement of a standalone AI app, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, hinted at the possibility of OpenAI developing its own social media platform.
Altman took to X (formerly Twitter) and stated, “Ok fine maybe we’ll do a social app,” suggesting a potential strategic shift for OpenAI into the social media domain.
This strategic shift underscores the intensifying competition in the AI sector, as major tech companies strive to innovate and capture market share in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
Altman’s remarks indicate that OpenAI is considering broadening its AI applications to include social networking platforms, potentially altering the dynamics of user interaction with AI technologies.
