Meta Platforms believes an open-source ecosystem would improve safety and security in AI. Bloomberg
Meta Platforms believes an open-source ecosystem would improve safety and security in AI. Bloomberg
Meta Platforms believes an open-source ecosystem would improve safety and security in AI. Bloomberg
Meta Platforms believes an open-source ecosystem would improve safety and security in AI. Bloomberg

Meta Platforms set to launch free code-generating software as it challenges OpenAI


Alvin R Cabral
  • English
  • Arabic

Meta Platforms, the parent company of social media company Facebook, is reportedly set to launch free software that will help programmers and developers to automatically generate code.

The software, Code Llama, is open source and meant to challenge generative artificial intelligence models from Microsoft-backed OpenAI, Google and others, The Information reported, citing sources.

Code Llama, which is to rival OpenAI's Codex platform, is based on Llama 2, the large language model released by Meta in July – also free of charge – and could be launched as early as next week, it said.

Large language models are trained on amounts of text data for natural language processing tasks. They support the processing and generation of natural language text for diverse jobs.

Code Llama could “siphon customers” away from other paid coding assistants, including Microsoft's GitHub Copilot, which uses Codex, the report said.

It is expected to “make it easier for companies to develop AI assistants that automatically suggest code to developers as they type”, it added.

Meta's latest move comes amid a growing battle within the technology industry where companies are jockeying to get a head start and broaden their scope in generative AI.

Big technology companies have large scientific teams dedicated to AI research and development. However, generative AI's emergence has forced them to diversify their strategies and try to integrate the technology into their services, which would ultimately help their bottom line.

Generative AI, made popular by ChatGPT, can produce various kinds of data, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, 3D objects and videos.

OpenAI's ChatGPT earned a high profile because of its advanced conversational capabilities. Its rise started a race with Google's Bard, drew interest from X chief executive Elon Musk and prompted Apple to work on improving its digital assistant Siri.

Investors have poured more than $4.2 billion into generative AI start-ups in 2021 and 2022 through 215 deals after interest surged in 2019, recent data from CB Insights showed.

California-based Meta, which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, is also trying to distinguish itself by offering a more open platform, giving users a glimpse of code it uses to build AI systems.

An open-source ecosystem would help “unlock more progress” and improve safety and security, as well as help curb bias against AI and ensure the accuracy of systems built upon it.

“Open source drives innovation because it enables many more developers to build with new technology,” Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said in a July Facebook post.

“It also improves safety and security because when software is open, more people can scrutinise it to identify and fix potential issues. I believe it would unlock more progress if the ecosystem [was] more open.”

Last month, Meta, Google, OpenAI and other leading technology companies agreed on a range of protections against AI set by the White House, among which is a commitment that they will ensure their products are safe before they are introduced to the public.

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

RESULTS

2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Najem Al Rwasi, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)

2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Fandim, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri

3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Harbh, Pat Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi

3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Wakeel W’Rsan, Richard Mullen, Jaci Wickham

4pm: Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri

4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

MATCH INFO

Euro 2020 qualifier

Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')

Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)

Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

The Details

Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5 

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

Key products and UAE prices

iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229

iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649

iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179

Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.

Scorline

Iraq 1-0 UAE

Iraq Hussein 28’

Updated: August 18, 2023, 9:38 AM`