Meta is reportedly developing its own AI search engine to power its AI assistants independently, moving away from reliance on existing search giants like Google and Bing. Latest developments:
- The company is building custom web crawling technology to give its AI systems direct access to current events and online information
- Development of the search infrastructure has been underway since early 2024, with teams working discreetly
- A new partnership with Reuters for news content indicates Meta's broader strategy for independent information sourcing
- The initiative comes as Meta AI reaches a significant milestone of 185M weekly active users across its platforms
Industry impact: The AI industry is entering a new phase of competition focused on search capabilities. As tech companies increasingly prioritize AI development, Meta's push for search independence could reshape how AI models access and provide real-time information, potentially disrupting the current search engine landscape.