Mark Zuckerberg is planning a premium tier and ads for Meta’s AI app

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to introduce a premium tier for its AI app, similar to rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft.
The premium tier will offer users more compute or additional functionality, with Meta aiming to compete with ChatGPT and other AI-powered chatbots.
As part of this plan, Meta will incorporate “product recommendations or ads” within its AI app, although no specific timeline has been announced for when these features will roll out.
The company has reported significant revenue growth, earning $42 billion in the past few months and increasing its expected investment in AI to up to $72 billion.
Meta’s AI app now boasts nearly 1 billion users, with Zuckerberg stating that the company will focus on scaling and engagement for at least the next year before introducing paid features or ads.

The Meta AI app could soon get a paid tier, similar to the ones offered by rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the plan during a Q1 2025 earnings call on Wednesday, saying there’s an opportunity to offer a “premium service for people who want to unlock more compute or additional functionality” in Meta AI.

As part of Meta’s efforts to compete with ChatGPT, the company launched a standalone Meta AI app this week, allowing you to interact with the chatbot and generate images from within the app. The chatbot, which Meta says now has nearly 1 billion users, was previously only available within apps like Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft’s Copilot all offer paid subscriptions that give users access to more advanced features and compute. Meta reported earning $42 billion in revenue over the past few months and revealed that it now expects to invest up to $72 billion on AI, rather than the up to $65 billion Zuckerberg announced previously.

Additionally, Zuckerberg mentioned incorporating “product recommendations or ads” within Meta AI. It’s not clear when ads, or a paid tier, might roll out, as Zuckerberg said, “I expect that we’re going to be largely focused on scaling and deepening engagement for at least the next year before we’ll really be ready to start building out the business.”

link

Q. What is Mark Zuckerberg planning for Meta’s AI app?

A. A premium tier with ads, similar to rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft.

Q. Why is Meta launching a standalone AI app?

A. To compete with ChatGPT and provide users with an alternative way to interact with the chatbot.

Q. How many users does Meta’s chatbot have now?

A. Nearly 1 billion users.

Q. What sets Meta’s AI app apart from its competitors?

A. The ability to generate images within the app, which was previously only available in other apps like Facebook and WhatsApp.

Q. Why did Mark Zuckerberg announce a new investment plan for AI?

A. To invest up to $72 billion in AI, compared to his previous announcement of up to $65 billion.

Q. What features will be included in Meta’s premium tier?

A. More compute and additional functionality for users who want to unlock these benefits.

Q. Will ads be available in the Meta AI app initially?

A. It’s not clear when or if ads will be rolled out, as Mark Zuckerberg mentioned that the company will focus on scaling and engagement before building out the business.

Q. How much revenue did Meta report over the past few months?

A. $42 billion.

Q. What is Meta’s goal for its AI app in the next year?

A. To scale and deepen engagement before introducing a paid tier or ads.

Q. Why did Mark Zuckerberg delay announcing a paid tier or ads?

A. Because he wants to focus on scaling and engagement for at least the next year before building out the business.