Meta Aims to Rely Less on Google & Bing with New AI Search Engine

Meta Platforms is intensifying its focus on artificial intelligence (AI) by developing its own AI-based search engine, seeking to reduce reliance on Alphabet's Google and Microsoft's Bing.

Previously, Meta's AI chatbot depended on Bing for real-time data on sports scores, news, and stock updates.

However, the company is now pivoting to manage all operations in-house.

This initiative emerges amidst fierce competition in the AI search market, where rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are vying for supremacy.

The new search engine will deliver conversational responses through Meta AI, the company's chatbot, which is integrated into popular platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.

By creating an in-house search solution, Meta aims to exercise greater control over the information provided through its AI platforms, enhancing the user experience.

As the AI search landscape evolves, Google has been incorporating its advanced AI model, Gemini, into its core search products to offer more intuitive and conversational experiences.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has strengthened its partnership with OpenAI, leveraging Bing to power ChatGPT's real-time web access.

Meta's decision to build its own AI search engine is part of a broader strategy to minimise reliance on third-party services, positioning itself alongside other tech giants heavily investing in AI and web search technology to capture a larger share of online user interactions.

Meta Joins Hands with Reuters for News Integration

To enhance the capabilities of its AI in delivering timely and accurate information, Meta has formed a partnership with Reuters.

This collaboration marks a significant shift for Meta, which has faced criticism over misinformation and profit-sharing disputes, leading to a reduction in its focus on news content.

As part of the agreement, Meta's AI chatbot will utilise Reuters' content to respond to user inquiries about current events.

This functionality became available to US-based users on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger as of 25 October.

A Meta spokesperson indicated that the partnership aims to enrich the user experience for those seeking information on recent happenings.

The arrangement is straightforward: Meta gains access to real-time news, while Reuters receives compensation, although financial details remain undisclosed, suggesting a likely multi-year deal.

Through this collaboration, Meta's AI will summarise and link to Reuters articles in response to news-related queries.

While Meta has not clarified whether Reuters' content will contribute to training its language models, Reuters confirmed its role in providing "fact-based" content to support Meta's AI systems, without divulging further specifics.

Although this partnership is relatively new in the context of AI, Meta and Reuters have previously collaborated since 2020 on fact-checking initiatives.

This development reflects a notable pivot from Meta’s earlier strategy of scaling back its news content, particularly following controversies and the discontinuation of its "News Tab.”