Meta is set to launch a new standalone app for its AI chatbot, as the company pushes forward with its plans to become a leader in artificial intelligence.
With this move, Meta aims to expand beyond its existing platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, and offer a dedicated space for its AI assistant, Meta AI.
Expected to debut in the second quarter of 2025, the app will join the ranks of other popular AI-powered applications like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft's Copilot.
Since its launch in September 2023, Meta AI has gained significant traction within Meta’s suite of apps.
It was initially introduced as a digital assistant that could respond to questions, create images, and offer a variety of tools for editing photos.
Its integration into Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp by replacing search features further highlighted the company’s aim to embed the AI assistant deeply into everyday user experiences.
Meta’s vision for AI is clear: to create a highly personalised assistant that can engage with billions of people worldwide.
Mark Zuckerberg has been vocal about Meta’s goal of making Meta AI the leading digital assistant in the world.
During the company's fourth-quarter earnings call in January, Zuckerberg stated, "This is going to be the year when a highly intelligent and personalized AI assistant reaches more than 1 billion people, and I expect Meta AI to be that leading AI assistant."
However, while Meta AI has made considerable strides in reaching hundreds of millions of active users, a dedicated app could allow for deeper user interaction and further expansion beyond Meta’s core social media platforms.
Currently, Meta AI is only accessible via Meta's apps or its website, which some industry experts argue limits its reach and engagement potential.
The new standalone app would address this gap, offering a more tailored experience for users who are not regular Meta app users but may be interested in using the AI assistant.
Meta has seen substantial success in countries like India, where Meta AI is most popular, especially on WhatsApp.
Zuckerberg responded positively to a suggestion on Threads from a user who recommended a standalone Meta AI app, agreeing with a "100" emoji.
The app would offer more unified features across smartphones, smart glasses, and other devices, providing better customization and access to users' conversation histories.
In a light-hearted response to Meta's ambitions, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman jokingly commented on X,
"ok fine maybe we’ll do a social app."
This playful remark reflects the growing competition in the AI space, as major players like Meta, Google, and OpenAI continue to invest heavily in AI development.
Meta has hinted at monetisation opportunities for Meta AI in the future.
Plans include offering premium services similar to OpenAI’s subscription model for ChatGPT and Microsoft's Copilot.
Susan Li, Meta's finance chief, discussed the potential for paid recommendations and premium offerings to enhance the AI experience, stating that there are “pretty clear monetisation opportunities here over time."
Despite strong user engagement, Meta AI’s website currently generates fewer than 10 million views per month, far below its competitors.
However, with the launch of the standalone app, Meta expects these numbers to increase as more users interact with the AI outside of its existing social media platforms.
Meta’s push to become a dominant force in the AI industry comes at a time when competition in the space is intensifying.
While Meta AI has already gained a user base of roughly 700 million active monthly users, Zuckerberg and his team are under pressure to accelerate the growth of Meta’s AI capabilities.
The company’s plan to expand Meta AI's reach aligns with its broader vision to integrate AI technologies into social media and beyond.
The launch of the Meta AI app will mark a new chapter for the company, positioning it as a serious contender in the race to dominate AI-driven experiences for consumers around the world.
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