Zuckerberg Criticizes Closed-Source AI Rivals, Accusing Them of Attempting to 'Create God'

In a recent interview, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared his vision for the future of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing his belief that there won't be a "one true AI" dominating the landscape. Instead, he advocates for an open-source approach, arguing that AI tools should be accessible to everyone. Zuckerberg criticized unnamed competitors who pursue closed AI systems, suggesting they operate under a misguided notion of "creating God."

“I don’t think that AI technology should be hoarded by a single company,” Zuckerberg stated in a YouTube discussion with Kane Sutter (@Kallaway). “It’s disheartening to hear tech leaders talk about developing this ‘one true AI,’ almost as if they believe they’re creating a deity. That's not the direction we’re headed.”

He continued, “I understand why those in the AI field want to feel their work is immensely significant, like they're building the key to the future. But that’s not a realistic perspective.” Zuckerberg argued that diverse AI systems are essential to address the varied interests of users.

On this front, Meta recently announced early tests of its AI Studio software in the U.S., which will enable creators to launch AI avatars in Instagram’s messaging system. These avatars will engage users in a playful manner and respond to inquiries while being clearly labeled as “AI” to prevent any confusion.

Zuckerberg commented on the limitations of closed AI platforms, asserting that true innovation arises from enabling as many individuals as possible to experiment with different approaches. “That’s the essence of culture,” he noted. “It’s about empowering many voices rather than allowing a single entity to dictate everything.”

In the wake of reports that Meta attempted but failed to negotiate with Apple for integrating its AI offerings into Apple’s systems, Zuckerberg's comments highlighted a competitive tension. Bloomberg indicated that Apple opted not to pursue further discussions with Meta due to concerns over privacy practices, leaving Meta without access to a vast potential user base of iPhone customers. In response, Meta appears poised to expand its technology beyond smartphones.

Zuckerberg also addressed the advancements being made with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, suggesting that these devices could eventually lead to more sophisticated holographic displays. In the meantime, he believes there is significant potential in glasses that utilize cameras, microphones, and speakers to enable multimodal AI interactions without a display, which would help keep costs down.

According to Zuckerberg, Meta plans to develop three distinct product categories: display-less smart glasses, heads-up displays, and fully holographic systems. He envisions a future where users might communicate with a neural interface through wristbands that interpret signals from the brain, facilitating actions with minimal hand movement.

However, Zuckerberg cautioned against expecting immediate smartphone replacement. “Historically, new technology platforms enhance existing ones rather than entirely replace them,” he noted. “For example, while smartphones now perform tasks we once did on computers, I anticipate similar evolution with glasses.”

In his outlook, Zuckerberg stated, “Smartphones won’t vanish but may become less central in our daily interactions. I envision a future where we’ll still have phones, but they will be used more intentionally. For many tasks—like capturing a photo or sending a message—glasses will offer a more convenient option.”

He concluded, “In ten years, phones will likely remain, but their role might shift, becoming an intentional tool rather than a device we instinctively reach for at every opportunity.”