Meta debuts Muse Spark, first AI model under Alexandr Wang (axios.com) AI

Meta has launched Muse Spark, a new homegrown AI model (code-named Avocado) built over nine months under Alexandr Wang’s leadership, aimed at narrowing performance gaps with top rivals. The text-only model takes voice, text, and images as inputs and will power queries in the Meta AI app and on Meta.ai, with plans to expand across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, alongside several “modes” including a shopping mode. Meta says all versions will be free with possible rate limits and plans an open-source licensed release, while noting privacy rules may allow broad use of data shared with its AI systems.