Meta Shifts Strategy: New "Avocado" AI Model Signals Move Away From Open Source

Meta Shifts Strategy: New "Avocado" AI Model Signals Move Away From Open Source

Mark Zuckerberg is personally steering Meta toward a major strategic pivot that could reshape the AI landscape. The company is developing a new artificial intelligence model codenamed "Avocado," expected to launch this spring as a closed, paid system — marking Meta's biggest departure from its long-standing open-source philosophy.

What This Means for Meta's AI Future

The move aligns Meta with competitors like Google and OpenAI, who monetize their AI models through controlled access. This represents a fundamental shift from Meta's previous strategy of making AI code freely available for developers and researchers to build upon.

Key changes driving this pivot include:

• New Leadership Influence — Meta's new Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang is a known advocate for closed models
• Direct CEO Involvement — Zuckerberg is personally engaged in day-to-day AI development decisions
• Revenue Focus — The company is building what insiders call "one of the priciest teams in technology history"

Why the Strategic Shift Matters

Open-source AI models allow outside developers to review, modify, and improve the underlying code. By moving to a closed model, Meta gains tighter control over its technology while creating new revenue streams through paid access. This mirrors the business models of AI leaders who have found success in monetizing their advanced models.

The timing suggests Meta recognizes the massive investment required for cutting-edge AI development needs to generate returns. With billions poured into AI infrastructure and talent, the company appears ready to prioritize profitability over the collaborative benefits of open-source development.

This strategic shift could signal a broader industry trend as AI companies balance innovation sharing with business sustainability.