Meta to Release Next-Gen Llama AI Model by Year-End: A Look at the Latest Development

Meta is working to release its new Llama AI model, Llama 4.X, by the end of the year. The project, part of Meta Superintelligence Labs, aims to fix bugs and improve the current Llama 4 models. Despite losing several team members, CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed progress on Llama 4.1 and 4.2, as well as next-gen models for the future. Analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on META stock with an average price target of $873.29, implying 18.4% upside potential.

Meta is accelerating its efforts to release the next iteration of its Llama AI model, Llama 4.X, by the end of the year. This project, spearheaded by Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL), aims to address the shortcomings of the current Llama 4 models and improve their performance in real-world tasks. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance Meta's AI capabilities and maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

The Llama 4.X project is being developed by a team within MSL called TBD. The goal is to have the model ready for production by the end of the year, despite the challenges posed by the loss of several team members, including researchers, engineers, and a senior product leader. These departures, despite Meta's efforts to attract top AI talent from companies like OpenAI and Google, highlight the intense competition for AI talent in the industry.

Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, confirmed during the company's second-quarter earnings call in July that the MSL team is making progress on Llama 4.1 and 4.2, while also working on next-gen models for the future. The company has been investing heavily in AI infrastructure, with plans to spend between $60 billion and $65 billion on GPUs and data centers to support its AI initiatives.

Analysts have a strong consensus rating on META stock, with a majority of analysts recommending a "Buy" position. The average price target of $873.29 per share implies an 18.4% upside potential, reflecting investor confidence in Meta's AI-driven strategy and its ability to balance short-term performance with long-term innovation.

However, the road to success is not without challenges. The delayed release of the Behemoth model, a 288B parameter AI model intended to compete with OpenAI's GPT-5, has left a gap in Meta's AI lineup. Additionally, the Llama 4 models have underperformed on certain benchmarks, such as the MMMU multimodal benchmark, compared to competitors like GPT-5 and Claude 3.5 Opus. These challenges underscore the need for Meta to continue refining its AI models and infrastructure to stay competitive in the AI market.

In conclusion, Meta's accelerated release of the Llama 4.X model is a strategic move to address the shortcomings of its current AI offerings and maintain its competitive position in the AI landscape. While the company faces challenges in terms of talent acquisition and model performance, its strong financial position and investor confidence position it well to navigate these challenges and continue its AI-driven growth.

References:
[1] https://www.tipranks.com/news/meta-is-moving-fast-to-release-its-new-llama-ai-model-this-year
[2] https://www.ainvest.com/news/meta-ai-roadmap-competitive-positioning-strategic-model-timing-market-leadership-2025-2508/
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/meta-ai-driven-revenue-surge-balancing-moonshots-market-realism-2508/