Meta's AI Focus Steals the Show at Annual Connect Conference

Meta Platforms Inc META, formerly known as Facebook, recently showcased its commitment to the metaverse at its annual Connect conference. 

However, the spotlight wasn't solely on virtual reality; artificial intelligence (AI) took center stage, indicating a shift in the company's focus.

Also Read: Meta Platforms Goes To AI War: Launches New AI Coding Software To Compete With OpenAI

Joseph Spisak, the newly appointed director of product development for generative AI at Meta, humorously remarked on the AI-centric nature of the conference, CNBC reports.

Amid discussions about Meta's latest VR products, there was significant emphasis on Llama, Meta's large language model (LLM). This model has gained traction since the rise of OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot. 

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, highlighted Llama's role in powering the company's new digital assistants.

While the metaverse remains a long-term vision for Zuckerberg, AI is the immediate battleground. Meta's Llama is an open-source counterpart to Microsoft Corp's MSFT GPT and Alphabet Inc GOOG GOOGL Google's PaLM 2. 

Industry insiders often compare Llama's role in AI to Linux's position against Microsoft Windows in the PC market.

For many investors, Llama's value proposition remains elusive. The costs associated with AI research and infrastructure are substantial. Yet, Yann LeCun, a renowned AI researcher, believes Llama will reshape the LLM landscape. 

Despite being open-source, Meta has introduced commercial licensing for Llama 2, allowing businesses to integrate it into their products.

Meta aims to leverage Llama in various ways. Enhancements to Llama by external developers could lead to cost savings for Meta. Additionally, the company anticipates a decrease in capital expenditures for 2023, partly due to investments in AI.

While open source offers numerous advantages, it also presents challenges. 

Some industry players believe Meta's licensing terms for Llama 2 are restrictive, potentially hindering collaborative development. However, Meta emphasizes responsible use and has implemented measures to prevent misuse.

Price Action: META shares are trading higher by 1.79% at $320.32 on the last check Monday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.