Meta's AR/VR Vision & AI Investments: Insights from Connect Conference
Updated: Dec 30, 2023
[Edited] Meta Platforms' Chief Executive, Mark Zuckerberg, has introduced new AI products for consumers, including smart glasses and an updated virtual-reality headset.
These products aim to merge the virtual and real worlds, offering low-cost or free AI integration into daily routines. Meta's Quest, a popular VR headset, is considered the best value in the industry, even as Apple prepares to release a more expensive headset.
During the Meta Connect conference, held in person for the first time since the pandemic, Zuckerberg announced that the new generation of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses would start shipping on October 17th, priced at $299. These glasses will feature a Meta AI assistant and the ability to livestream what the user sees directly to Facebook and Instagram, surpassing the previous generation's photo-snapping capabilities.
Zuckerberg emphasized the company's commitment to innovation, stating, "Sometimes we innovate by releasing something that's never been seen before. But sometimes we innovate by taking something that is awesome, but super expensive, and making it so it can be affordable for everyone or even free." The Meta AI assistant will be built into the smart glasses, starting with a beta rollout in the United States. A software update planned for next year will enhance the assistant's capabilities, allowing it to identify places, objects, and perform language translation.
Meta has developed the Meta AI using a custom model based on the powerful Llama 2 large language model. The chatbot will have access to real-time information through a partnership with Microsoft's Bing search engine. To ensure privacy, Meta has filtered private details from the data used to train the model and imposed restrictions on the tool's output, such as a ban on creating realistic images of public figures.
In addition to the AI assistant and smart glasses, Meta also announced the development of a platform that will enable developers and individuals to create their own custom AI bots. These bots will have profiles on Instagram and Facebook and eventually appear as avatars in the metaverse. To showcase the tool's capabilities, Meta created a set of 28 chatbots with different personalities, styled in the voices of celebrities like Charli D'Amelio, Snoop Dogg, and Tom Brady.
According to Bob O'Donnell, chief analyst at TECHnalysis Research, "I don't see monetization of AI products happening for Meta for quite some time, and I think it will end up being more indirect. They seem much more interested in helping develop a platform that other developers will use."
The announcements made by Meta indicate a focus on enhancing existing apps and devices rather than introducing new revenue sources. Analysts believe that monetization of AI products may not happen for Meta in the near future, as the company seems more interested in creating a platform for other developers to utilize.
The Meta Connect conference also revealed that Xbox cloud gaming will be available on the Quest headset in December. The Quest 3 headset, priced at $500, offers mixed-reality technology similar to the more expensive Quest Pro device launched last year.
These product unveilings demonstrate Zuckerberg's strategy to navigate the shift towards artificial intelligence while maintaining investor confidence. After facing criticism for extensive spending on the metaverse, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram made significant staff cuts to continue funding Zuckerberg's vision.
Developers and investors alike are closely watching Meta's latest hardware devices to assess potential app creation opportunities and the company's financial prospects.
Meta Platforms introduces new AI products, including smart glasses and an updated VR headset
Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses will feature an AI assistant and livestreaming capabilities
Meta AI assistant will be built into the smart glasses, with enhanced capabilities planned for the future
Source: REUTERS