Ever since Mark Zuckerberg announced his interest in developing a metaverse, this has become one of Facebook’s most ambitious projects. However, there have recently been rumors that the company’s CEO has abandoned the project in favor of focusing on generative artificial intelligence, sparking concerns about the future of Facebook’s metaverse.
Generative artificial intelligence, Zuckerberg’s new interest
Andrew Bosworth, CTO of Meta (the new name of the company behind Facebook, which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp), has confirmed that Mark Zuckerberg and the company’s Chief Product Officer, Chris Cox, are investing much of their time in the development of generative artificial intelligence. This technology, which allows users to automatically generate content, has applications in fields such as art, video games and advertising.
Bosworth explained that Facebook has been investing in AI research and development for over a decade, and that they have recently created a new team dedicated to generative AI. In addition, the CTO pointed out that this area is the one in which he and other company executives are currently investing the most time.
The uncertain future of the Facebook metaverse
By contrast, Facebook’s metaverse, dubbed Horizon Worlds, seems to have taken a backseat. Bosworth acknowledged that Facebook has invested billions of dollars in the project, but also noted that there are still many challenges to overcome in this field. According to the CTO, one of the ways generative AI could improve the metaverse is by allowing users to create 3D worlds simply by describing them in natural language.
However, this explanation has not convinced everyone. Many are wondering if Zuckerberg is abandoning the metaverse project altogether, which could mean a huge loss for the company. The metaverse is considered one of Facebook’s most ambitious and disruptive projects, and many believe it has the potential to change the way we interact online.
The importance of artificial intelligence in the future of Facebook
Despite concerns about abandoning the metaverse, Facebook’s investment in generative AI should not be underestimated. Generative technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with the digital world, and Facebook has the resources to be one of the leaders in this area.
On the other hand, generative AI can also have a huge impact on advertising. With the ability to automatically generate content, advertising can be more personalized and effective, which could increase revenue for Facebook.
While it’s uncertain what will happen to Facebook’s metaverse, it’s likely the company will continue to invest in the technology that makes it possible. The current focus on generative AI may be a temporary turnoff, but it may also be an indication that Facebook is looking for new ways to leverage its expertise in the AI ​​field.
