Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is set to take on OpenAI’s ChatGPT with its new AI system, according to insider sources speaking to The Wall Street Journal. The move is part of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg‘s strategy to establish the company as a major player in the AI industry.
The forthcoming AI model, which is expected to outperform Meta’s previous release, Llama 2, aims to enable the development of sophisticated text and analysis tools by other companies. Spearheaded by a special team formed by Zuckerberg earlier this year, the project focuses on creating generative AI instruments capable of crafting human-like expressions.
While the project is in its early stages, training is scheduled to begin in early 2024, highlighting Zuckerberg’s determination to reclaim ground lost to competitors in the AI arena. Meta is allocating significant resources to the venture, including the construction of data centers and the acquisition of Nvidia’s advanced AI training chips, known as H100s.
Interestingly, despite collaborating with Microsoft for Llama 2, Meta plans to utilize its own infrastructure for this venture instead of Microsoft’s Azure platform. Additionally, Zuckerberg intends for the forthcoming AI offering to be open-sourced, allowing companies to freely develop AI-driven tools. However, this approach raises concerns about copyright infringements and the potential misuse of the technology for disinformation campaigns, a topic acknowledged by legal experts and Meta’s own legal team.
Criticism has already been directed at Meta for the lack of openness in Llama 2, but Zuckerberg’s commitment to open-sourcing remains firm. As he prepares to participate in an AI summit led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer alongside other tech leaders, industry experts will closely observe Meta’s progress. While the new AI model is anticipated to match OpenAI’s GPT-4 in terms of capabilities, it is uncertain whether Meta can bridge the existing gap with its competitors.
Despite these uncertainties, the industry recognizes the advantages of open-source models, commending their cost-effectiveness and adaptability. Zuckerberg fervently advocates for a collaborative approach to AI development in the ever-evolving technological landscape.
In conclusion, Meta’s ambitious venture to rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT with a new AI system spearheaded by Mark Zuckerberg highlights the company’s determination to establish itself as a dominant force in the AI industry. While the project is still in its early stages, Meta plans to devote substantial resources to develop a robust AI model that can facilitate the creation of advanced text and analysis tools. Zuckerberg intends to adopt an open-source approach, allowing companies to freely utilize and develop AI-driven tools. However, concerns regarding copyright infringements and potential misuse of the technology for disinformation campaigns have been raised. With Meta aiming to train the model in early 2024, the industry eagerly awaits its potential to narrow the gap with competitors in the AI arena.
