Technology giant Meta is considering introducing new paid services, and plans to test paid versions of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp in the coming months, writes the BBC.
The new offer will provide access to additional features, such as wider artificial intelligence tools. It is planned that the basic services of the social network and communication app will still be available for free. The company wants to test paid tools, including the Vibes video creation platform, which can “bring ideas to life with new artificial intelligence tools.”
In December, Meta decided to buy China-based artificial intelligence company Manus for two billion dollars, and these features will also be available in the paid version of the social network. Manus, an artificial intelligence tool that has the ability to solve complex tasks and make decisions independently, will also be available separately.
Speaking about the Manus acquisition, Meta said it would also allow the company to improve its artificial intelligence by giving users access to “agents” – tools that can complete tasks such as planning trips or creating presentations without the user’s direct involvement. The creators of Manus have positioned the tool as different from other artificial intelligence tools, indicating that it can be completely autonomous.
Unlike other chatbots that must repeatedly submit requests to achieve the desired result,
Manus can plan, execute and complete tasks completely independently, guided by instructions.
Beijing said in January that it would investigate the Meta deal to determine whether it violated China’s technology export laws or national security regulations.
Last year, Facebook tested a limit on posting links. Notifications shown to users in the US and UK indicated that they could share a certain number of links in their posts for free. The company called it a limited experiment to see if the ability to post more custom links provides additional benefits to those using the paid version of the social network.
In 2023, Meta launched a paid verification service that allows Facebook and Instagram users to get a verified user icon next to their username for a monthly fee.
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