Mark Zuckerberg, spearheading one of the most formidable AI research endeavors at Meta, has announced an ambitious shift toward not just artificial intelligence (AI) but also artificial general intelligence (AGI). This move by Meta’s CEO signifies a desire to create computing systems that transcend current AI capabilities, mirroring human cognitive functions such as learning, reasoning, planning, creativity, and memory.
While this strategic pivot aligns with Meta’s overarching goals of shaping the future of computing and attracting top-tier research talent, its immediate impact on individual users might be limited. Present-day AI, while captivating to both computer scientists and the general public, has yet to bring about a transformative revolution. It grapples with differentiating concrete facts from imaginative leaps and maintains a considerable lead over AGI, which currently exists primarily as a domain of research and speculation.
Zuckerberg acknowledges the formidable challenges ahead, emphasizing that building full general intelligence is essential for the next generation of services. This entails progress in various AI domains, encompassing reasoning, planning, coding, memory, and other cognitive abilities. In support of this vision, Meta plans to deploy 350,000 high-end Nvidia GPUs — each valued at around $30,000 — by the end of the year. This substantial processing power, combined with Zuckerberg’s vision of a metaverse using devices like Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, aims to provide AI with a real-world perspective for enhanced navigation.
Today’s AI, epitomized by large language models like OpenAI’s GPT, has made significant advancements in understanding relationships among words in extensive text datasets. However, these systems, while capable of generating plausible responses, lack genuine knowledge. In contrast, AGI resembles human intelligence more closely, with the potential for superhuman capabilities upon its realization.
Despite ongoing debates and skepticism surrounding the trajectory of AI, Zuckerberg remains steadfast in Meta’s commitment to AI advancement. The merger of Meta’s two AI research teams — FAIR and the generative AI team behind Llama — underscores Meta’s ambition to lead the charge in AGI development. As Meta embarks on this AGI journey, a cautious approach prioritizing responsible and safe training processes reflects the company’s commitment to addressing the ethical implications of this transformative technology.