Meta has released a new artificial intelligence model called Llama 3.1, which the company claims rivals technologies from OpenAI and Google. This new model is free for anyone to use and modify as it is open-source. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that Llama 3 is competitive with the most advanced models and future releases are expected to be even more advanced.
The release of this new AI model is part of Meta’s strategy to create an ecosystem where companies without their own AI technology can use Meta’s models. This approach aims to give Meta influence over the tech world similar to how Google controls the mobile industry through the Android operating system. Meta’s open-source AI models have already been downloaded 300 million times and the company provides tools for testing the safety of AI systems.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential misuse of open-source AI by geopolitical rivals, criminals, or fraudsters. Zuckerberg defended the open-source approach, stating that it allows for more scrutiny from researchers and regulators compared to closed systems built by competitors like Apple. Meta is focusing on building AI products that will change how people shop and communicate online.
The integration of Meta AI across its social media apps, such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, allows for features like image generation and answering user questions. The company aims to get billions of people to use its AI tools as a core part of their online activities. Despite potential challenges and failures in AI integration, Meta is committed to making AI tools valuable for consumers.
Source
Photo credit www.washingtonpost.com