Mark Zuckerberg – Llama 4, DeepSeek, Trump, AI Friends, & Race to AGI

Mark Zuckerberg discusses the recent launch of Llama 4 and Meta AI’s advancements, emphasizing the focus on efficient, multimodal models and user-centric benchmarks. He highlights the societal, technological, and geopolitical implications of AI development, stressing the importance of collaboration, responsible growth, and the co-evolution of humans and AI.

In the interview, Mark Zuckerberg discusses the recent launch of Llama 4, highlighting significant advancements in AI modeling and the rapid evolution of the field. He emphasizes Meta AI’s growing user base, now approaching a billion monthly active users, and the importance of personalization and context in AI interactions. Zuckerberg explains that the new models, including mid-size and small variants like Scout and Maverick, are designed to be efficient, multimodal, and suitable for various internal applications, with plans for even larger models like the Behemoth, which exceeds 2 trillion parameters.

Zuckerberg addresses the increasing competition between open-source and closed-source AI models, noting that open-source models have made substantial progress over the past year. He observes a trend toward specialization in reasoning, math, and coding tasks, with models optimized for speed and efficiency for consumer use. He also discusses the challenges of benchmarking AI performance, emphasizing that Meta’s primary measure of success is user value and real-world product impact rather than traditional benchmarks, which can be gamed or skewed toward specific use cases.

The conversation explores the future of AI development, including the potential for automation in software engineering and research, which could lead to an intelligence explosion. Zuckerberg believes that progress will be constrained by physical infrastructure, supply chains, and societal adaptation, rather than just technological capability. He highlights the importance of co-evolution between humans and AI, where systems learn from user interactions and improve over time, creating a feedback loop that accelerates growth and utility.

Zuckerberg also discusses the societal and cultural implications of AI, including its role in entertainment, social connection, and expression. He envisions a future where AI seamlessly integrates into daily life through augmented reality glasses and other devices, enabling more natural, continuous interactions. While expressing optimism about the potential for AI to enhance beauty, connection, and creativity, he acknowledges concerns about overuse and the importance of thoughtful design to prevent negative effects like distraction or addiction.

Finally, Zuckerberg touches on the geopolitical and regulatory landscape, noting the importance of maintaining leadership in AI infrastructure and open-source development. He emphasizes the need for collaboration with governments and industry peers to ensure responsible growth and innovation. He concludes by reflecting on the importance of diverse advice and collaboration, valuing a broad network of trusted advisors to navigate the rapidly changing AI landscape, and expressing optimism about the future of technology and human creativity.