Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the competitive landscape in the AI industry, focusing on Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and his strategic shift towards an aggressive "scorched earth" approach to disrupt competitors like OpenAI and Google, particularly in the context of AI development and monetization. Group 1: Background and Context - Zuckerberg has historically felt constrained by Apple's dominance, as Meta's applications rely on Apple's iOS, making him vulnerable to changes in Apple's policies [10][11]. - The introduction of Apple's "App Tracking Transparency" in 2021 significantly impacted Meta's advertising revenue, leading to a loss of $10 billion in a single year [12][13]. - This experience instilled a desire in Zuckerberg to establish his own ecosystem, free from reliance on external platforms [15]. Group 2: Strategic Shift - In 2025, Zuckerberg identified AI as a potential disruptor to Apple's control, prompting him to adopt a "scorched earth" strategy against competitors [17][19]. - Meta's release of the Llama 4 model, with 400 billion parameters and an open-source, free commercial use model, aimed to undermine the business models of OpenAI and Google [30][31]. - This strategy effectively commoditized AI technology, leading to a collapse in the SaaS industry and forcing competitors to reassess their value propositions [35][36]. Group 3: Implementation and Impact - The launch of Llama 4 allowed developers to access advanced AI capabilities without the associated costs, significantly lowering the barriers to entry for new applications [32][34]. - Meta's integration of AI into platforms like Instagram and Facebook through features like "AI Studio" increased user engagement and transformed social interactions, ultimately driving advertising revenue [41][47]. - Zuckerberg's approach not only disrupted the software industry but also aimed to establish Meta as a dominant player in the AI landscape, positioning it for future growth [37][40].