Meta to test paid AI subscription : Reports

Meta Platforms is gearing up to test a paid subscription service for its AI chatbot, Meta AI, according to media reports. This move, as reported by Reuters and CNBC, would place Meta in direct competition with offerings from OpenAI and Microsoft, which also provide subscription-based access to advanced AI chatbot features.

Sources familiar with the matter, speaking to Reuters, indicate that the testing phase is expected to commence in the second quarter of this year. However, these sources caution that significant revenue from the subscription service is not anticipated until 2025 at the earliest.

Meta AI, the company's virtual assistant powered by large language models, was launched in September 2023. The reported plan to monetize its advanced capabilities reflects Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's ambition to solidify the company's position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

This development follows Zuckerberg's announcement in January that Meta intends to invest up to $65 billion in expanding its AI infrastructure. Additionally, reports indicate that Meta is developing AI-powered humanoid robots within its Reality Labs division.

The reported subscription strategy comes amidst a broader trend of major technology firms investing heavily in AI development. Microsoft and Amazon, for example, have also announced substantial investments in data centers and AI infrastructure.