Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has announced plans to commercialize its proprietary generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology by December. The company sees generative AI as a critical technology for content creation within the Metaverse. Metaverse is a virtual reality space that Meta is developing. This comes after years of research and development by the tech giant, putting them on par with competitors such as Google in finding practical applications for cutting-edge technology. Let’s find out what Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, has to say.
A Decade of AI Research and Development
Since starting full-scale AI research in 2013, Meta has made significant strides in the field. The company stands out alongside Google regarding the number of published studies. In February, Meta revealed it would establish a new organization dedicated to developing generative AI. The announcement of the timeline for commercialization is the first concrete indication of the company’s progress in this area.
In an exclusive interview with Nikkei in Tokyo, Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), highlighted the company’s dedication to AI research. “We’ve been investing in AI for over a decade and have one of the leading research institutes in the world.” Additionally, he added that Meta has an extensive research organization with hundreds of people working on AI.
Competing With OpenAI and Integration With the Metaverse
While the technology, which can instantly create sentences and graphics, has already been commercialized by OpenAI through their ChatGPT, Andrew Bosworth insists Meta remains on the cutting edge of AI. The company’s generative AI technology will also be utilized within the Metaverse, a highly realistic virtual space that Meta is eagerly developing.
Andrew Bosworth explained the potential impact of generative AI on content creation in the Metaverse. He said, “In the future, you might be able just to describe the world you want to create and have the large language model generate that world for you. And so it makes things like content creation much more accessible to more people.”
Also Read: Exploring the Possibilities of the Metaverse: Unlocking its Uses and Benefits
Balancing AI Advancements and Ethical Concerns
As the capabilities of generative AI continue to grow, so do concerns about humanity’s control over the technology and its implications for society. In March, the U.S.-based nonprofit Future of Life Institute launched a petition requesting a pause in the development of generative AI for at least six months. This petition has gained support from notable figures such as entrepreneur Elon Musk.
In response to the petition, Andrew Bosworth disagreed with the call to halt progress. “I think investing in responsible development is very important,” he said. “However, it’s tough to stop progress and make the right decisions on what changes you would make. Very often, you have to understand how technology evolves before you can know how to protect and make it safe. And so I think, not only is it unrealistic, I don’t think it would be effective.”
Also Read: Elon Musk’s Urgent Warning, Demands Pause on AI Research
Source: AnOriginal
Our Say
As Meta continues its journey to commercialize generative AI technology. It will be critical for the company to navigate the complex balance between advancing the capabilities of AI and addressing the ethical concerns that arise with such innovations. While the potential for generative AI is exciting, there are also concerns about its ethical implications. Meta has emphasized the importance of responsible development and maintaining an open dialogue with the wider community.
