Artificial Intelligence Is Set to Take Center Stage at Meta’s Upcoming Conference
Meta has announced that its annual Meta Connect conference will return to Menlo Park on September 25-26, 2024. Now in its third year, the event is expected to highlight Meta’s advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and the expanding vision of the Metaverse.
This year has been significant for Meta in the AI space, with the launch of its MetaAI chatbot, new versions of the Llama family of large language models, and the integration of its generative AI models into Instagram, Quest, and WhatsApp. Attendees can expect more announcements at Meta Connect. Registration is open online, with options to attend in person at Menlo Park or virtually via Facebook and Horizon Worlds.
Amid several major hardware and software announcements, many are eager to see what’s on the horizon. Below is a list of potential developments to watch for, based on rumors, leaks, and press releases.
Meta Connect 2024 arrives at a crucial time as Meta intensifies its focus on AI while facing competition in the XR space from rivals like Apple.
Meta Quest 3S
One of the most anticipated announcements is the potential unveiling of the Meta Quest 3S, a more affordable version of the Quest 3 VR headset launched last year. A recent store listing hinted at this “lite” model, though Meta has not officially confirmed it. The Quest 3S could increase adoption of Meta’s VR ecosystem by lowering the entry price while still providing immersive VR experiences. While specifics are yet to be revealed, it’s expected that the lower price will come with some trade-offs compared to the higher-end Quest 3.
This model will likely include Llama 3.1, Meta’s new family of AI models that offer enhanced AI assistant integration and vision features similar to those found in the Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Orion AR Glasses Prototype
Meta Connect 2024 may also reveal the first glimpse of Meta’s long-awaited augmented reality glasses, codenamed Project Orion. Unlike the Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses, which focus on audio and camera functionality, the Orion AR glasses are expected to provide true visual AR experiences with digital overlays integrated into real-world views.
Meta has been working on the Orion glasses for nearly a decade, representing a significant leap in AR technology. While a finished consumer product may still be a few years away, Meta might showcase an early prototype to demonstrate progress and encourage creators to build AR apps for the platform. This technology is made possible through integration with AI models like Llama 3.1, enabling rapid data processing on the device. Vision models from Meta will be used to identify real-world objects and places.
AI Chatbots and Avatars
Artificial intelligence will be a major focus at Meta Connect 2024 as Meta continues to integrate AI across its products and platforms. Earlier this year, Meta previewed AI advancements, including an AI assistant for WhatsApp, Instagram, and Quest, as well as AI tools for image editing and avatar creation.
At the event, Meta is likely to delve deeper into its conversational AI technology. A deeper exploration of AI Studio, Meta’s latest platform for creating no-code AI chatbots, would be particularly exciting. There may also be discussions on the Llama family of models, and possibly the first look at a multimodal version of Llama or the expansion of Meta’s image, video, and audio generation models.
The Meta Horizon Ecosystem
Meta Connect would not be complete without significant updates on the company’s progress in building the Metaverse. Mark Zuckerberg’s keynote is expected to outline Meta’s vision for the Metaverse in the coming year and beyond.
Updates on Horizon Worlds, Meta’s social VR platform, are anticipated, focusing on integrating avatars, inventory, and identity across virtual experiences. Meta may introduce new tools and standards to help developers create more interoperable Metaverse content.
