A new era in personal AI: Meta unveils its own assistant app, blending generative AI with a social touch.
Meta has officially stepped into the standalone AI assistant space, introducing a new application that positions itself as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch via Instagram, noting that the app is aimed at becoming each user’s “personal AI companion”, designed for interactive, voice-based communication.
“With over a billion people already using Meta AI across our platforms, this new standalone app offers a direct way to explore our generative AI technology,” said Zuckerberg.
The assistant starts by learning basic interests, with the goal of becoming more personalized over time—drawing from user activity on apps like Instagram and Facebook, if permitted. It can remember details such as family birthdays or preferences, evolving into a more context-aware assistant.
Social Features and Creative Sharing
In a nod to Meta’s social media roots, the app features a community feed, where users can explore and share AI-generated content like images and prompt ideas. Meta’s Chief Product Officer, Chris Cox, emphasized its potential for creativity: “You can share your prompts. You can share your art. It’s super fun.”
The app also replaces Meta View as the companion app for Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, allowing seamless voice-based interaction across smart devices, mobile phones, and desktops.
New Conversation Experience
Meta is also testing an experimental chat mode, designed to mimic natural human conversations—complete with interruptions and informal dialog. However, it currently lacks real-time web search capabilities.
Zuckerberg and his team also highlighted Llama, Meta’s open-source AI model, which allows developers more flexibility than proprietary systems like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. “You can mix and match the best parts of different models,” said Zuckerberg during the LlamaCon developer event, promoting the open-source philosophy behind Meta’s AI initiatives.
Key Takeaways
Meta’s new app offers a standalone AI assistant experience.
Integrates voice interactions and personalization through Meta platforms.
Features a social feed for prompt sharing and AI-generated content.
Supports Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
Built on Meta’s open-source Llama AI model.