ChatGPT challenger: Meta launches a standalone AI app - Can it compete?

The new Meta AI app features a Discover feed, allowing you to share your AI-generated responses with friends.

Image: Meta 

The artificial intelligence arena just got a whole lot more interesting! Tech giant Meta has officially thrown its hat into the ring with the launch of its very own standalone Meta AI app, promising a uniquely personalized AI experience. This new contender is powered by Llama 4, Meta's latest and most advanced AI model.

Following its initial integration across popular platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram, Meta unveiled this dedicated AI app at their recent LlamaCon event. This strategic move sets it apart from established players like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, hinting at a different approach. Meta is leveraging its vast trove of user data from its social media ecosystem – data you have provided – to offer truly tailored responses and insights. As Meta themselves explained, "And if you’ve added your Facebook and Instagram accounts to the same Accounts Center, Meta AI can draw from both to provide an even stronger personalized experience for you."

This focus on personalization extends to how the Meta AI app learns your preferences. According to Meta, "You can tell Meta AI to remember certain things about you (like that you love to travel and learn new languages), and it can also pick up important details based on context." Imagine this: if you've mentioned a peanut allergy or celiac disease in your interactions, Meta AI could potentially avoid suggesting recipes or products containing gluten or peanuts in the future.

Beyond just understanding your preferences, the new Meta AI app introduces innovative features like "full-duplex speech technology" for a more natural voice assistant experience. This isn't your typical robotic voice; Meta claims they've trained it on "conversational dialogues" to mimic real human interaction. You'll even have the option to toggle this feature on or off based on your preference.

A glimpse into the Meta AI app's Discover feed, letting users share AI responses directly with their network. Image: Meta

Another standout feature is the new "Discover feed," designed for seamless sharing of Meta AI responses with your network. Think of it as a way to easily integrate Meta AI into your WhatsApp groups or chats by simply mentioning the AI, allowing everyone in the conversation to see its response. Within the Meta AI app itself, you retain control over which responses you choose to share with friends. A glimpse shared by Meta showed a user, sophiekumar, asking Meta AI to "Describe me in 3 emojis," with the AI's response appearing in their friends' feed.

Interestingly, Meta is also bridging the gap between its Meta AI and its Ray-Ban Meta glasses. These smart glasses, positioned as a leading hardware innovation in the AI era, will now seamlessly integrate with the Meta AI app. In select regions, users can start a conversation via their glasses and then continue it within the app or web interface, accessing the full chat history. This bidirectional transition (from glasses to app/web) offers a unique level of convenience. However, initiating a conversation on the app or web and picking it up on the glasses is not currently supported. Existing Meta View users will find the transition smooth; upon updating the app, all their paired devices, settings, and media will automatically migrate to the new "Devices" tab within the Meta AI app.

The arrival of the Meta AI app undoubtedly injects fresh energy into the competitive AI landscape. The big question remains: is Meta too late to the party, or can its unique features and deep social integration truly challenge the dominance of ChatGPT and others? While the launch might seem slightly delayed to some, features like the social "Discover feed" and the innovative integration with Ray-Ban Meta glasses offer compelling differentiators. This new entrant promises to foster healthy competition, which ultimately benefits us, the users.

Now, we'd love to hear from you! Have you had a chance to experience the new Meta AI app? Does it offer a valuable and personalized experience? Share your thoughts and initial impressions in the comments below!