Meta Delays Avocado Again: Is Zuckerberg's AI in Danger?

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Key Takeaways

1Meta has postponed the launch of its AI model Avocado to May, following disappointing internal tests compared to Google and OpenAI.

2Despite massive investments, Meta struggles to compete with the advanced AI models of its rivals, such as Gemini 3 and GPT-5.

3The company is facing privacy controversies related to its Ray-Ban glasses and accusations of addiction on its social platforms.

💡Why it matters — The delay of Avocado could jeopardize Meta's position in the race for AI innovation against already well-established rivals.

Meta Delays Launch of Its AI Model Avocado Again

Meta's artificial intelligence model Avocado, which was initially expected to be a major breakthrough for the company, will not be available until May. According to a report from the New York Times, anonymous sources revealed that this delay is due to unsatisfactory performance during internal testing. These tests, which focused on reasoning, coding, and writing, showed that the model lagged behind those developed by competitors such as Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic.

Colossal Investments but Disappointing Results

Meta has poured billions of dollars into the development of its artificial intelligence technologies. This includes a strategic investment of $14.3 billion to acquire a stake in the startup led by Alexandr Wang, appointing him as the head of AI. Additionally, the company has ramped up its recruitment efforts by attracting top AI engineers. During a results conference in January, Meta announced a projected increase in its spending, rising from $72 billion last year to a range between $115 billion and $135 billion. Despite these significant financial efforts, Meta has failed to achieve the performance levels of its rivals, who continue to dominate the market with more advanced models.

A Cautious Response from Meta

A spokesperson for Meta told CNET that the company remains confident in the quality of its upcoming model. He emphasized that this model will demonstrate Meta's rapid progress and that the company will continue to push the boundaries of innovation throughout the year with new releases. "We are excited for people to see what we have prepared very soon," he added, insisting that the development trajectory remains positive.

Competition Remains Fierce

In the competitive landscape of AI, Google gained an edge last November with the launch of its Gemini 3 model, which has been praised for its exceptional coding and research capabilities. OpenAI quickly followed with updates to its GPT-5 model. Meanwhile, Anthropic launched Claude Code and Cowork, AI tools that stand out for their reliability and ability to perform complex tasks without human supervision.

Strategic Acquisition of Moltbook

The biggest AI news for Meta this year is the acquisition of Moltbook, an innovative social media platform designed exclusively for AI bots. This acquisition underscores Meta's commitment to integrating artificial intelligence into its products and services, aiming to create environments where bots can interact autonomously.

Controversies Surrounding Meta

Alongside technical challenges, Meta is also facing increasing controversies. Concerns about privacy have emerged regarding the use of its smart glasses, particularly the Ray-Ban glasses. A lawsuit has been filed, alleging that Meta employees viewed videos recorded without the knowledge of individuals in intimate situations, such as when they were undressing or engaging in sexual activities.

Challenges on Social Media

Furthermore, Meta is confronted with a high-profile lawsuit questioning the impact of its social platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, on adolescent health. The debate centers on the addictive nature of these platforms and the potential risks they pose to this vulnerable age group.