Meta Platforms has introduced two new artificial intelligence models, Llama 4 Scout and Llama 4 Maverick, in its latest push to lead innovation in the AI space. The announcement marks a significant advancement in the company’s work to develop capable, multimodal AI systems.
Multimodal AI refers to systems designed to process and interpret different data types. These include text, images, video, and audio.
According to Meta, Llama 4 Scout and Llama 4 Maverick can manage and translate across these formats, showcasing the next phase of AI versatility. In a statement, the tech giant described the models as “most advanced yet” and “the best in their class for multimodality.”
The models were released as open-source software, continuing Meta’s tradition of making its AI development accessible to researchers and developers worldwide. Open sourcing allows for broader testing, community-driven improvements, and faster integration into different applications.
In addition to launching Scout and Maverick, Meta previewed another powerful model: Llama 4 Behemoth. Described as “one of the smartest LLMs in the world,” Behemoth is intended to serve as a foundational model and a teacher to support the development of future iterations in the Llama family.
Meta’s move comes amid a tech industry-wide race to build more powerful and intuitive AI tools. Following the rapid global adoption of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, major technology companies have ramped up investments in machine learning infrastructure and research. For Meta, this includes a plan to invest as much as $65 billion this year alone, reflecting the urgency and high stakes involved in staying competitive in the AI arms race.
Despite the excitement surrounding the Llama 4 models, the development was not without its hurdles.
Reports from The Information revealed that Meta initially delayed the public release of Llama 4 because the model struggled to meet internal performance expectations, particularly in reasoning and mathematics. Concerns also surfaced about the system’s ability to handle natural, humanlike voice conversations, a key area where OpenAI’s models have shown strength.
Still, Meta explains that it remains committed to enhancing its AI capabilities. The company believes its suite of Llama 4 models will contribute significantly to open-source innovation and support its long-term ambitions to reshape human-computer interaction.
“Cloud computing, AI models, and immersive technologies are central to the next wave of digital experiences,” a Meta spokesperson noted, emphasising the role of Llama 4 in its broader metaverse and AI ecosystem strategy.
The AI Race and the cost of competition
The release of Llama 4 is more than just a technological upgrade, it’s a signal of the fierce competition in the global AI industry.
In the wake of ChatGPT’s success, leading companies such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta have poured billions into research, infrastructure, and talent acquisition.
Meta’s projected $65 billion spend this year on AI-related infrastructure highlights the massive financial stakes involved. This budget is channelled into expanding data centres, acquiring high-performance GPUs, and developing more capable AI models. Investors and industry observers are watching closely to see whether these substantial investments will translate into commercial returns.
While OpenAI has set a benchmark with its GPT series in language understanding and conversational AI, Meta aims to compete not only on technical performance but also by championing open-source development. This approach may foster wider collaboration and help bridge global talent gaps in AI.
Moreover, with Llama 4 Behemoth still in preview, Meta is positioning itself to take strides in the coming months. If successful, the Behemoth model could help Meta close the performance gap with rivals in advanced reasoning and multimodal integration.
The race among tech giants intensifies, not just to build smarter systems, but also to define how those systems will be used across society. The industry is expecting to see more AI upgrades to shape the future of communication, learning, business, and entertainment.
Technext Newsletter
Get the best of Africa’s daily tech to your inbox – first thing every morning.
Join the community now!
