Mark Zuckerberg Predicts Diverse AI Future and Expands Meta's Tech Beyond Smartphones

Mark Zuckerberg Predicts Diverse AI Future and Expands Meta's Tech Beyond Smartphones
Image credit: Britannica Website 

Zuckerberg Envisions a Diverse AI Future and Expands Beyond Smartphones

In a recent YouTube interview with Kane Sutter, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized his belief in the necessity of diverse AI systems rather than a single, centralized AI. He criticized competitors who aim to create a "one true AI," likening it to creating a deity, which he finds unrealistic and impractical. Zuckerberg argued that, similar to how multiple apps, creators, and businesses cater to different needs, AI should reflect diverse interests and applications.

Zuckerberg also highlighted Meta's new AI Studio software, which is currently being tested in the U.S. This tool will enable creators to build AI avatars that can interact with followers on Instagram, answering questions and engaging in conversations while being clearly labeled as AI to avoid confusion.

Reflecting on the broader AI landscape, Zuckerberg noted that hoarding AI technology within a single company limits innovation. He stressed the importance of open-source AI to unleash creativity and allow many people to experiment with different AI applications, enriching cultural and technological diversity.

Interestingly, his comments come shortly after reports that Meta's negotiations with Apple to integrate its AIs into Apple's operating systems fell through due to privacy concerns. This setback means Meta misses out on billions of iPhone users but instead focuses on expanding its technology beyond smartphones.

Meta technology looks beyond smartphone apps
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Zuckerberg shared insights into the progress with Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, which, despite lacking displays, offer functionalities like cameras, microphones, speakers, and multimodal AI. These smart glasses, priced around $300, contrast with the $1,000 Meta Quest Pro and represent an affordable entry into wearable tech. He predicted three future product categories: display-less smart glasses, heads-up displays, and full holographic displays.

Additionally, Zuckerberg envisioned advanced neural interfaces, where wristbands could read brain signals to communicate with devices, potentially enabling hands-free typing. However, he cautioned that these innovations wouldn't immediately replace smartphones. Instead, he suggested that new technologies typically supplement rather than replace old ones, leading to more intentional use of devices like smartphones over time.

Looking ahead, Zuckerberg believes that while smartphones will remain, their role will evolve, with more tasks shifting to wearable tech like smart glasses. He anticipates a future where people use glasses to take photos, ask questions, and send messages more conveniently than with their phones, which will still be used for specific needs.