Meta has virtually no AI users compared to OpenAI’s 900M, says Big Technology’s Kantrowitz

Core Argument - Alex Kantrowitz critiques Meta's AI positioning, emphasizing the disparity between OpenAI's ChatGPT with 900 million weekly active users and Meta's AI user engagement, which is not intentionally sought by users [2][4]. User Engagement Comparison - OpenAI's ChatGPT has 900 million weekly active users, while Meta claims nearly 1 billion monthly active users across its platforms, but these figures represent different types of engagement [2][6]. - Meta's AI is embedded in its platforms, leading to passive interactions, whereas ChatGPT users actively seek out the AI experience [2][4]. Foundational Model Concerns - Kantrowitz argues that Meta is not competing in the emerging consumer computing category, as it has not delivered a foundational AI model comparable to OpenAI's offerings [4]. - The anticipated rollout of Meta's "Avocado" model has been delayed, and prediction markets assign only a 10.5% probability for the release of the "Mango" model by the end of March [4]. Capital Expenditure Implications - Meta's significant capital expenditure commitment of $115-135 billion in 2026 raises questions about its ability to generate traction in consumer AI without a competitive foundational model [5][6]. - The operating margin for Meta has compressed to 41% from 48% due to accelerated AI capital expenditures outpacing revenue growth [6].