Meta's AI Assistant Hits 10 Billion Users, Focuses on Growth

Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced during the company's annual shareholder meeting that its AI assistant has achieved a significant milestone of 10 billion monthly active users. This achievement was marked by the launch of the first standalone AI assistant application in April, which propelled the user base to surpass the 10 billion mark. Zuckerberg highlighted that the company's current strategy is to focus on enhancing the product's functionality and user experience, rather than rushing into commercialization.

Meta's approach to prioritizing product development over immediate monetization is a strategic move aimed at solidifying its position in the AI market. The company plans to explore paid recommendation services or subscription models in the future, but for now, the emphasis is on refining the AI assistant's capabilities, particularly in voice interaction and entertainment scenarios. This strategy aligns with Meta's long-term vision of integrating AI more deeply into its ecosystem, potentially leading to new revenue streams in the future.

During the shareholder meeting, Zuckerberg acknowledged that while the 10 billion monthly active users figure might seem like a numerical milestone, it reflects the genuine penetration and adoption of Meta's AI assistant. The meeting also included voting on 14 proposals, nine of which were submitted by shareholders. These proposals covered a range of topics, including child safety, carbon emissions disclosure, and cryptocurrency assessments. Notably, a proposal submitted by the Anti-Defamation League's affiliated organization, JLens, called for Meta to annually disclose and address hate content issues on its platform, particularly in light of the relaxation of content moderation standards in January.

Initial voting results indicated that several proposals opposed by the Meta board, including one to eliminate the dual-class share structure, are unlikely to pass. However, board-supported proposals, such as director nominations and stock incentives, are expected to gain approval. The final voting results will be announced within four business days through the SEC and the company's official website.

The two-hour shareholder meeting highlighted Meta's rapid expansion in the AI sector, with its AI assistant user base nearing the peak monthly active user data of Twitter. However, it also revealed challenges the company faces in content governance and choosing a commercialization path. In the intensely competitive generative AI landscape, Meta's strategy of first solidifying its user base before exploring monetization models is consistent with its traditional approach of prioritizing growth in the social media domain.