Meta Platforms is set to launch a standalone AI chatbot application in the second quarter of 2025, aiming to compete directly with existing services like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. This move signifies a strategic shift to broaden the accessibility of Meta's AI assistant, Meta AI, beyond its current integrations within Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.

According to reports, Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has emphasized the transformative potential of Meta AI, projecting that it could reach up to 1 billion users within the year. Currently, the AI assistant serves approximately 700 million monthly active users. To support this ambitious expansion, Meta has allocated between $60 billion and $65 billion for capital expenditures this year, underscoring its commitment to enhancing AI infrastructure and capabilities.

In addition to the standalone app, Meta plans to test a paid subscription service for Meta AI, aligning with monetization strategies employed by competitors. This subscription model is expected to offer advanced features and capabilities, providing users with an enhanced AI experience.

Meta AI, launched in September 2023, utilizes large language models to perform a variety of tasks, including answering questions, generating images, and editing photos. Recent updates have introduced memory features, enabling the AI to offer more personalized recommendations by retaining context from previous interactions. The forthcoming standalone app is anticipated to make Meta AI more accessible to users who are not active on Meta's social media platforms, thereby expanding its reach and user base. This development positions Meta to compete more directly in the rapidly evolving AI chatbot market, which has seen significant advancements and user adoption in recent years.

As the launch approaches, further details regarding the app's features, availability, and subscription options are expected to be announced, providing users with more information on how they can engage with Meta's latest AI offerings.