Meta Platforms (META) is planning to launch a standalone Meta AI app, according to a report from CNBC. This move positions Meta to compete with existing AI applications from rivals such as OpenAI and Alphabet’s (GOOGL) Google. The app is projected to debut in the second quarter of this year, sources familiar with the matter told CNBC.
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Currently, Meta AI is available via web browser and within existing Meta apps, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment on this story.
During Meta’s January earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg described Meta AI as “one of the most transformative products that we’ve made,” and expressed his belief that it could reach 1 billion users this year. CFO Susan Li further noted that the AI assistant already has 700 million monthly active users, according to a transcript from AlphaSense.
This rollout coincides with Meta’s plans to significantly increase investment in AI, with anticipated capital expenditures ranging from $60 billion to $65 billion, up from $39 billion in 2024. The report also suggests that Meta is considering a subscription-based model, mirroring the approaches of competitors such as OpenAI and xAI, which provide premium features for a fee.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT offers a standalone app, and other companies like Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), Microsoft (Copilot), and DeepSeek also have their distinct AI applications.
Meta shares saw a minor increase of less than 1% in extended trading on Thursday, following a 2% decrease in the regular session. Shares have increased around 12% since the start of the year through the end of trading Thursday.
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