In a move signaling a desire for greater autonomy, Meta is reportedly developing its own AI-powered search engine, specifically designed to fuel its Meta AI chatbot. This development could reduce the company's reliance on search giants Google and Microsoft.
Cutting the Apron Strings:
Currently, the Meta AI chatbot relies on Google Search and Microsoft Bing to provide users with information about current events and people. However, sources speaking to The Information suggest that Meta is building an in-house solution to power this functionality.
Why the Shift?
The motivation behind this move appears twofold:
- Independence: By developing its own search engine, Meta reduces its dependence on potential competitors and gains more control over its chatbot's capabilities.
- Backup Plan: The move could also serve as a safeguard should Google or Microsoft decide to alter or terminate their partnerships with Meta in the future.
Laying the Groundwork:
Meta has been taking steps towards this goal for some time:
- Data Scraping: Reports earlier this year revealed that Meta had been using a web crawler to gather data, presumably for training its AI models.
- Reuters Partnership: More recently, Meta inked a deal with Reuters to integrate real-time news updates into its chatbot for US users.
Meta's endeavor highlights the growing importance of AI and data control in the tech landscape. While details about the search engine's capabilities and timeline remain scarce, its development could significantly impact the future of the Meta AI chatbot and the company's overall AI strategy.