In a bold move that could revolutionize the world of generative AI chatbots, Meta, the company that owns Facebook, is reportedly developing an artificial intelligence (AI) system that surpasses the capabilities of OpenAI’s GPT-4. This ambitious endeavour, if successful, could bring about notable changes in the AI landscape, but it also raises a plethora of serious concerns. The Wall Street Journal reports that Meta’s new AI model, slated for a 2024 release, is intended to be "several times more powerful" than Llama 2, Meta’s own AI tool that was launched as recently as July 2023.
Meta’s forthcoming AI system is not just an advancement in the company’s technological prowess; it is also a strategic move to help other companies produce sophisticated text, analysis, and other output. The training for this AI is set to commence in early 2024, with an official release expected to follow Google’s launch of its large language model, Gemini. However, while Meta’s plans seem to be in full swing, with the company investing in data centers and Nvidia H100 graphics cards for the AI’s development, they are not without potential drawbacks and serious implications.
Meta’s Ambitious AI Project Raises Concerns
Meta, the company that owns Facebook, is reportedly developing a new artificial intelligence (AI) system that it hopes will surpass OpenAI’s GPT-4 in power and sophistication. This ambitious project could significantly intensify the competition within the realm of AI chatbots, but it is also raising serious concerns about potential misuse and privacy issues.
An AI Powerhouse in the Making
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Meta aims to launch this new AI model by 2024. The model is expected to be significantly more powerful than Llama 2, an AI tool that Meta launched in July 2023. The goal of this new AI system is to aid other businesses in creating services that generate complex text, analysis, and other outputs. The training phase for this AI is scheduled to begin in early 2024, following the launch of Google’s own large language model, Gemini.
To create this AI powerhouse, Meta is ramping up its data centers and acquiring Nvidia H100 graphics cards. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief, reportedly wants the technology to be open source, which could expedite its widespread adoption.
Open Source: A Double-Edged Sword
While the open-source approach may facilitate quicker adoption, experts warn about the inherent risks. Easy access to such a powerful tool could potentially lead to its misuse, resulting in an increase in viral disinformation and other harmful outcomes.
Furthermore, Meta’s data sourcing practices for training its AI model will likely come under scrutiny. Other tech giants have faced criticism for allegedly plagiarizing artistic content and written materials to enhance their AIs’ capabilities. Google has even declared that all internet content is fair game for its Google Bard AI.
Privacy and Ethical Concerns
Given Meta’s troubled history with user privacy, there are valid concerns about entrusting personal data to Meta’s AI initiatives. These concerns were also evident when rumors surfaced about the company planning to launch AI chatbots with personalities.
In fact, the potential negative impacts of the ongoing AI race have led many leading technologists to sign an open letter urging companies to refrain from developing AI systems more powerful than GPT-4. However, this plea seems to have been ignored.
Takeaways
The potential benefits of Meta’s ambitious AI project are vast – from generating complex text to helping businesses create sophisticated services. However, the project also presents significant challenges, including potential misuse and privacy concerns. As the AI race intensifies, it’s crucial for tech companies to strike a balance between innovation and societal well-being. The race for AI supremacy shouldn’t come at the cost of privacy and ethical considerations.
