Meta plans to release a standalone AI app in the second quarter, exploring paid subscriptions

Meta Platforms (META. O) plans to release a separate Meta AI app in the second quarter, according to people familiar with the matter. Launched in September 2023, the Meta AI chatbot is positioned as a generative AI digital assistant that can provide responses and create images based on user prompts in existing apps. The company also plans to test a paid subscription service for Meta AI, similar to how OpenAI and Microsoft charge users a monthly fee. Meta AI's chief financial officer said in January that while Meta AI strives to focus on "building a great consumer experience," "there are fairly clear monetization opportunities here over time, including paid recommendations and premium services."