Meta Makes Its Move: A Solo AI Chatbot Debuts

Meta Takes Aim at ChatGPT

Meta has launched a standalone version of its AI assistant in the form of a dedicated chatbot app, stepping squarely into the competitive ring dominated by OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Built on its Llama 3 large language model, the assistant is available on the web and as a mobile app for iOS and Android users. Meta is betting on its vast user base—plus tight integration with platforms like Instagram and Facebook—to help accelerate adoption. The move signals Meta’s ambitions to become a major player in the consumer AI space.

Chatting Up a Storm, Meta Style

Unlike most AI assistants that lurk behind productivity tools, Meta AI is designed as an experience users actively engage with—through search, image generation, and real-time help. The company’s vision seems broader, aiming to create an AI that users actually enjoy spending time with. Early versions of Meta AI have rolled out in English across multiple countries, and it’s accessible not just in the app, but baked into feeds, chats, and search boxes across Meta’s ecosystem. By weaving the assistant seamlessly into familiar platforms, Meta is driving both convenience and retention.

Building an AI Future, One Bot at a Time

CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made clear that Meta’s AI strategy is core to its long-term roadmap alongside the metaverse. With Llama 3 as its commercial-grade foundation, Meta plans more frequent updates and model expansions throughout the year. The focus is on safe and capable open-source models, giving developers and researchers transparency and customization options that closed systems can’t offer. While the standalone app is new, it’s just one part of a growing AI arsenal Meta is assembling to reshape how users interact with technology.