Meta could launch a new AI model next year to take on Gemini and ChatGPT

In a significant move earlier this year, Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, established the Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL), a dedicated team assembled by attracting leading experts from renowned organizations like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. This initiative was driven by Zuckerberg's dissatisfaction with the performance of the existing Llama models, which support Meta's AI endeavors. The goal of this new lab is to advance towards superintelligence—an ideal state where AI can perform tasks at a human level across various domains. Though Meta has yet to provide formal updates regarding its AI developments, Zuckerberg has expressed optimism about the progress being made. In July, he suggested that upcoming iterations of the Llama models would be among the most sophisticated in the industry, promising to deliver AI benefits to a broader audience. As the competition intensifies among tech giants like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic, there has been a noticeable absence of new Llama models. However, CNBC has reported that Meta is working on a new AI model referred to as 'Avocado.' Initially anticipated to launch by the end of this year, the timeline has now shifted to the first quarter of 2026 due to challenges in training and performance testing. These hurdles are crucial to ensure the model is well-received upon its release. A spokesperson for Meta reassured that the training of their models is progressing as planned, with no significant delays. Zuckerberg, who has previously championed open-source AI, appears to be reevaluating his approach. In a statement made in July, he indicated a need for caution, saying, "We’ll need to be rigorous about mitigating these risks and careful about what we choose to open source." The CNBC report also suggests that the Avocado model might follow a proprietary route, akin to competitors like Gemini and ChatGPT, potentially restricting developers from freely accessing its components. Despite these shifts, Zuckerberg remains positive about the future of Meta's AI initiatives. During a recent earnings call, he stated, “I think that we’ve already built the lab with the highest talent density in the industry… We’re heads down developing our next generation of models and products, and I’m looking forward to sharing more on that front over the coming months.”