Clearly, throwing billions of dollars at a problem can’t solve everything.
Nearly six months after its debut, Meta’s consumer-facing AI app still struggles with inconsistencies and persistent shortcomings, casting doubt on the company’s lofty ambitions for artificial intelligence.
It has been a rough learning curve for Mark Zuckerberg’s efforts to join the AI race after lagging behind an already-crowded field and spending tens of billions of dollars on catching up. So far, the most Meta has to show for it is a glitchy chatbot, a growing chorus of irritated users, and frustrated shareholders who would like to have something to show for that kind of capital outlay.
Now, market watchers and consumers alike are wondering what exactly Meta can deliver if its flagship AI offering remains uneven.
Launched in April 2025, the standalone app was a late entry into the AI space, arriving roughly two and a half years after OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, Meta’s biggest competitor in the space and by far the most commercially recognizable brand for AI currently.
Meta AI also took a different approach: Its AI bot attempts to combine chat, image creation, and a public feed showcasing user-generated content.
Hit or Miss Has Been Mostly Miss
That tack appears to be failing. Users across the internet have expressed frustration with its unpredictability and limited relevance, saying it feels less like a polished product and more like an early prototype struggling to live up to Meta’s new AI-driven vision.
Since its launch, critics and users alike have voiced concerns on social media, highlighting bugs, odd interactions, and a lack of personalization.
The app’s Discover feed, intended to inspire conversations and showcase creative uses of the AI, often displays outdated user-generated images, diminishing its appeal as a dynamic social hub.
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