Meta is taking a bold step in the AI race by reportedly developing a standalone app for its AI assistant, Meta AI. This move positions the tech giant to compete more aggressively with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, both of which dominate the AI chatbot market.
According to CNBC, the new Meta AI app could launch as early as the next fiscal quarter (April–June). Until now, Meta AI has been accessible only through Meta-owned platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger, as well as via a dedicated website. By offering a standalone app, Meta aims to expand its AI footprint and provide users with a more immersive AI experience, independent of its social media ecosystem.
Meta is also testing a paid subscription model for Meta AI that would introduce premium features, though details remain unclear. While CNBC was unable to confirm pricing or specific capabilities, this move suggests Meta’s intent to monetize AI services, much like OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus and Anthropic’s Claude Pro. If successful, this could further position Meta as a major competitor in the growing AI chatbot industry.
Meta AI has seen rapid adoption, boasting over 700 million active monthly users. This growth underscores its increasing role in Meta’s AI ambitions. Beyond chatbots, the company is aggressively expanding its AI ecosystem through open-source AI models like Llama, which Meta believes could foster an AI development community to rival OpenAI’s.
In another move to solidify its AI leadership, Meta will host LlamaCon, its first-ever AI-focused developer conference, in late April. The event is expected to showcase Meta AI’s latest advancements, offer insights into Llama’s roadmap, and attract developers, researchers, and industry leaders eager to explore Meta’s AI tools.