The future of AI, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is not about one dominant AI but rather a variety of different AIs that cater to people’s diverse interests. In a recent interview, Zuckerberg expressed his belief in the value of open-source AI tools that can be accessed by many individuals rather than being hoarded by a single company. He criticized competitors who view themselves as creators of a singular, all-powerful AI, likening their mindset to thinking they are “creating God.” Zuckerberg argues that this is not how technology works; there isn’t just one app, one creator, or one business that fulfills everyone’s needs.
Zuckerberg emphasized the importance of allowing different AIs to be created to reflect people’s various interests. To enable this, Meta announced the early testing of its AI Studio software, which will allow creators and others to build AI avatars for Instagram’s messaging system. These avatars will be able to answer questions and engage with followers in a fun manner while being clearly labeled as “AI” to avoid confusion.
In contrast to companies that develop closed AI platforms, Zuckerberg believes that the best experiences for people come from unlocking and unleashing as many individuals as possible to explore different AI applications. He likens this approach to culture, where a single group doesn’t dictate everything for everyone.
However, there may be some bitterness underlying Zuckerberg’s comments. Reports surfaced that Meta had attempted to negotiate with Apple to integrate its AIs into Apple’s operating systems but had been rejected due to concerns about Meta’s privacy practices. This means that Meta loses access to potentially billions of iPhone users worldwide. Undeterred, Meta’s plan B is to focus on building technology that extends beyond smartphones.
Zuckerberg discussed the progress of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses and their convergence with future holographic displays. He believes that even without a display, cameras, microphones, speakers, and multimodal AI can create a great user experience. Not having a display also keeps costs down, with Meta’s smart glasses priced at around $300 compared to the Meta Quest Pro at $1,000.
Looking ahead, Zuckerberg envisions three products leading up to convergence: display-less smart glasses, a heads-up display, and full holographic displays. He even suggests the possibility of a wristband that picks up brain signals, allowing users to communicate with neural interfaces by barely moving their hand. However, he cautions that these new inputs and AI experiences may not immediately replace smartphones but rather result in reduced usage. Just as people now use smartphones for tasks previously done on computers, the same transition may occur with glasses. People will still have phones, but they will rely on them less frequently, reserving them for more intentional usage.
In conclusion, Zuckerberg’s vision for the future of AI is one of diversity, openness, and accessibility. He advocates for the development of multiple AIs that cater to different interests and rejects the notion of a single, all-powerful AI. While Meta faces challenges in securing partnerships with major players like Apple, the company remains focused on expanding its technology beyond smartphones through innovative products like smart glasses. Zuckerberg believes that over time, these advancements will lead to a shift in how people use technology, with glasses becoming a more convenient and natural interface for various tasks.