Meta Launches AI Coding Software in Competition With OpenAI

August 24, 2023

minute read

Meta Platforms Inc. has unveiled a new artificial intelligence coding tool as part of its ongoing efforts to establish itself as a formidable contender against Microsoft Corp.-supported OpenAI and Alphabet Inc.'s Google.

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Named Code Llama, this tool, introduced on Thursday, harnesses generative AI to enhance the efficiency of developers by suggesting lines of software code. Meta has made the underlying model open source and accessible for commercial purposes. This means that other organizations can leverage this technology to craft their own tools, as elucidated in a blog post by Meta.

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Over the recent months, Meta has been progressively releasing open-source editions of AI solutions offered by its competitors. In July, the company introduced a commercial variant of its extensive language model, the technology underlying popular chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT. By offering its AI chatbot technology to the public, Meta enables certain companies to construct chatbots without incurring expenses for software from OpenAI, Google, or Microsoft.

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In a parallel vein, Code Llama will simplify the process of developing AI coding tools for companies, rendering it unnecessary to purchase equivalent products from rivals such as Microsoft's GitHub Copilot, powered by OpenAI. While Code Llama will be accessible to most users free of charge, Meta has indicated that certain large enterprises will be subject to charges for access to the software.

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Generative AI technologies have been the subject of substantial investments by Meta. This commitment is exemplified by the creation of a dedicated product group exclusively focused on generative AI. Mark Zuckerberg, the Chief Executive Officer, has consistently articulated Meta's vision of embedding AI across its entire product spectrum. Internally, Meta is fostering the adoption of its AI-powered chatbot, Metamate, by its employees. Furthermore, the imminent launch of a chatbot accessible to the public is anticipated in the forthcoming weeks.

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