Meta’s recent Connect keynote event marked a noticeable shift in focus, with a reduced emphasis on the term “metaverse.” While Mark Zuckerberg did mention the metaverse a few times during the event, a significant portion of his presentation was dedicated to highlighting Meta’s new AI features. These AI capabilities are intended to be integrated into platforms like Instagram and Facebook, as well as other non-metaverse applications, diverging from the metaverse-centric narrative of previous years. Notably, Horizon Worlds, Meta’s flagship metaverse experience from the previous year, received minimal attention.
This shift in focus may not come as a surprise to those who have followed Meta’s metaverse journey closely. The company has faced substantial financial setbacks in its metaverse ventures, leading to skepticism among investors. Additionally, Mark Zuckerberg has faced criticism for overhyping seemingly minor metaverse features in the past.
In contrast, the field of AI has generated substantial interest from both investors and consumers. Large language models have contributed to this surge in interest, making AI technology accessible to millions through services like ChatGPT, MyAI, and Midjourney.
During Connect, Meta introduced Meta AI, a generative AI assistant capable of answering questions and assuming the personalities of various characters. The company also showcased AI-powered image editing for Instagram and tools designed to enable developers, creators, and businesses to create their own AI-powered bots. AI is set to play a significant role in Meta’s new hardware offerings, including the Meta Quest 3 and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, both of which will come equipped with the Meta AI assistant.
Despite this emphasis on AI, Meta has not abandoned its commitment to the metaverse. Mark Zuckerberg has previously clarified that the two concepts are interconnected, dispelling the notion that AI has supplanted metaverse investments. He stated, “We’ve been focusing on both AI and the metaverse for years now, and we will continue to focus on both.”
However, during Connect, Zuckerberg presented a somewhat different pitch for the metaverse compared to previous presentations. Instead of focusing on socializing and working in VR environments with avatars, he introduced an AI-centric vision of the metaverse.
The incorporation of AI assistants could enhance the utility of the metaverse significantly. Meta AI-powered search capabilities for Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, akin to Google Lens, would allow users to obtain information about objects they see through the glasses by asking the AI. This innovation opens the door to numerous potential use cases within Meta’s virtual worlds.
While the timeline for the integration of these new AI experiences into the metaverse remains uncertain, the company announced that “multi-modal” search capabilities would arrive on its smart glasses next year. The introduction of “embodied” AI assistants for metaverse interactions did not come with a specific timeframe.
The success of these AI assistants in driving renewed interest in the metaverse is also uncertain. Meta’s previous attempt to popularize chatbots in 2016 without AI elements fell short. Although generative AI has significantly improved the capabilities of the latest generation of bots, Meta faces stiff competition in the space. However, by integrating AI into its other applications, Meta can reach its vast user base more effectively, potentially paving the way for an AI-centric metaverse as envisioned by the company.
