Meta Plans AI-Powered Search Engine to Break Free from Google Dependency

Meta is reportedly developing its own artificial intelligence-powered search engine after eight months of dedicated development. The plan

Arslan Butt•Tuesday, October 29, 2024•1 min read

Meta Plans AI-Powered Search Engine to Break Free from Google Dependency

Meta is reportedly developing its own artificial intelligence-powered search engine after eight months of dedicated development. The initiative marks a strategic shift for the social media giant, which currently depends on Google and Microsoft’s Bing for search functionality across its platforms.

According to an October 28 report from The Information, Meta has assembled a specialized engineering team to build a comprehensive database that will power its new search engine. The system is designed to generate conversational AI summaries of current events and recent information, delivering these through Meta’s AI chatbot, which is integrated across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.

This development comes alongside Meta’s recent multi-year partnership with Reuters, announced on October 25, marking the company’s first major return to news content in several years. The Reuters collaboration will enable Meta AI’s chatbot to provide real-time answers to current events questions, with direct citations and links to Reuters’ journalism – a significant shift from Meta’s previous stance of minimizing news content on its platforms following post-2020 controversies.

Meta’s move mirrors similar initiatives by other tech giants. OpenAI unveiled its “SearchGPT” prototype in July, while Apple has reportedly begun developing AI tools to replace certain Google search functions. These developments suggest a broader industry trend toward independent, AI-powered search capabilities.

The new search engine represents a careful balancing act for Meta, which had previously distanced itself from news-focused features, including discontinuing its “News Tab.” The company’s new approach appears to target users who actively seek news rather than pushing content through feeds, potentially offering a more controlled and user-driven news experience.

Industry analysts suggest this integration of AI-powered search could have far-reaching implications, particularly in areas like digital shopping, where Meta’s combination of AI and augmented reality technologies could revolutionize how consumers discover and interact with products online.

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Arslan Butt

Index & Commodity Analyst

Arslan Butt serves as the Lead Commodities and Indices Analyst, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field. With an MBA in Behavioral Finance and active progress towards a Ph.D., Arslan possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics. His professional journey includes a significant role as a senior analyst at a leading brokerage firm, complementing his extensive experience as a market analyst and day trader. Adept in educating others, Arslan has a commendable track record as an instructor and public speaker. His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of cryptocurrency and forex markets, are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as ForexCrunch, InsideBitcoins, and EconomyWatch, solidifying his reputation in the financial community.