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Meta AI Hits Milestone: 1 Billion Monthly Users Across Platforms

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed on Wednesday that Meta AI, the company’s in-house artificial intelligence assistant, has now reached 1 billion monthly active users across its ecosystem of apps — including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The announcement was made during Meta’s annual shareholder meeting, highlighting a new phase in the company’s evolving AI strategy.

The AI tool’s rapid adoption follows the April 2025 release of a standalone Meta AI app, which accelerated user growth significantly. This milestone marks a major leap in the AI race, placing Meta alongside the likes of OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.

Deepening User Experience: The 2025 AI Agenda

Zuckerberg emphasized that the company’s primary focus for 2025 is to transform Meta AI into the most personalized, conversational, and entertainment-driven AI assistant available.

“Our goal is to make Meta AI the most useful personal assistant in the world — one that feels like an extension of your thinking, speech, and creativity,” Zuckerberg said.

Meta AI now offers voice conversations, personalized recommendations, and integrated entertainment tools — a move designed to deepen user engagement and make the assistant an everyday necessity.

Monetization Ahead: Subscription Services and Premium Access

Though Meta AI remains free, Zuckerberg hinted at the company’s upcoming monetization strategy. The company is exploring options such as:

• Paid recommendations for businesses and advertisers.
• A tiered subscription model for users who want more computing power or advanced features — a path similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus model.

“There will be opportunities to offer people more compute or enhanced capabilities via subscriptions,” Zuckerberg explained.

Shareholder Meeting Highlights: Governance and Controversies

The shareholder meeting also covered 14 proposals, 9 of which came directly from Meta’s investors. Topics included:

• Child safety initiatives
• Climate action and emissions reporting
• A Bitcoin treasury review
• Antisemitism and hate content reporting

One of the most discussed proposals came from JLens, an affiliate of the Anti-Defamation League, which requested Meta produce an annual report addressing hate content on its platforms, following policy shifts earlier in the year that weakened moderation controls.

Preliminary results indicated that proposals not supported by Meta’s board — including ending the dual-class share structure (which gives Zuckerberg overwhelming voting power) — are unlikely to pass. However, board-backed items, including re-election of directors and a new equity incentive plan, are expected to be approved.

Final results will be published within four business days on Meta’s investor relations page and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Meta’s AI Push: Industry Impact and Competitive Landscape

Meta’s AI journey reflects a broader trend in the tech industry. With over $40 billion invested in AI development across Big Tech in 2024 alone, the AI assistant market has become a battleground for dominance.

Meta’s 1 billion users now place it in direct competition with:

• OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which crossed 180 million users in early 2025.
• Google’s Gemini AI, which has over 500 million integrations across Android.
• Anthropic’s Claude, now part of Amazon’s AI ecosystem.

Despite competition, Meta's strength lies in seamless integration with its existing platforms and its deep social graph — something rivals lack.

The Road Ahead

As Meta continues to scale its AI assistant, the company is expected to:

• Expand voice-first interactions
• Launch premium tools for creators and businesses
• Integrate AI deeply into the Metaverse and virtual reality ecosystems

Meta’s transition from social media giant to AI powerhouse is well underway. With 1 billion active users, a clear roadmap for monetization, and increasing pressure to govern responsibly, Meta AI is shaping up to be one of the defining tech stories of 2025.