Meta Platforms has announced the release of Llama 3, its most advanced open-source artificial intelligence (AI) model to date. Boasting multilingual capabilities and enhanced performance, Llama 3 aims to compete with leading models from OpenAI and Google.
With an impressive 405 billion parameters, Llama 3 significantly surpasses its predecessor in size and capability. It can converse in eight languages, produce high-quality computer code, and solve complex mathematical problems. Despite its considerable size, Llama 3 remains smaller than some competitors, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4, which reportedly has one trillion parameters, and Amazon’s upcoming model with two trillion parameters.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also announced the development of Llama 4, which is set to further advance the company’s AI offerings. Both Llama 3.1 and Llama 4 will be made freely available under an “acceptable use policy,” allowing other companies to leverage this technology for their own AI development.
“We expect future Llama models to surpass proprietary competitors by next year,” Zuckerberg stated. “Our Meta AI chatbot, powered by these models, is on track to become the most popular AI assistant by the end of 2024, with hundreds of millions of people already using it.”
Embracing Open Innovation in AI
In an interview with Bloomberg, Zuckerberg emphasized the importance of open and decentralized innovation in maintaining a competitive edge in AI development. He expressed concerns that restricting technology could hinder progress.
“There’s one string of thought which is like, ‘Okay, we need to lock it all down.’ I just happen to think that that’s really wrong because the U.S. thrives on open and decentralized innovation,” he said. “Locking everything down would hamstring us and make us more likely to not be the leaders.”
Zuckerberg acknowledged the rapid advancements in AI technology globally, noting that it’s unrealistic to expect a significant lead over other countries. However, he believes that even a small, sustained advantage can have a substantial impact over time.
“I think maintaining a perpetual, six-month to eight-month lead is a very big advantage,” he added. “If American companies and individuals continue producing the best AI systems, this advantage will compound over time.”
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Meta unveils biggest Llama 3 AI model to rival OpenAI, Google
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