Meta Unveils Llama 4 Large Language Models Amid Delays and Ambitious AI Expansion Plans

by Team Confer · April 7, 2025
Meta Platforms has officially released its latest large language model, Llama 4, introducing advanced versions named Llama 4 Scout and Llama 4 Maverick. These models are designed to process and translate various data formats, including text, video, images, and audio, enhancing their versatility. Meta claims these are its most advanced models to date, particularly for handling multimodal tasks, and has made them available as open-source software. Additionally, Meta previewed Llama 4 Behemoth, described as one of the smartest and most powerful LLMs, intended to assist in training future models.
The launch had been delayed due to the LLM initially underperforming in reasoning and math compared to internal benchmarks and trailing behind OpenAI models in voice conversation capabilities. The move reflects Meta’s aggressive push into AI, with plans to invest up to $65 billion in expanding its AI infrastructure amid growing investor demands for returns on such investments.

Context & Background

Meta’s Llama series represents the company’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence through open-source large language models. The previous iteration, Llama 3, was released in April 2024 and marked a significant milestone with its multilingual capabilities and advanced coding proficiency. The development of Llama 4 has been closely watched, especially as Meta aims to compete with other tech giants like OpenAI and Google in the AI space. The adoption of techniques such as the “mixture of experts” model, inspired by Chinese tech company DeepSeek, indicates Meta’s strategic approach to enhancing model efficiency and performance. This release also underscores the broader trend of tech companies investing heavily in AI infrastructure to maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

In This Story

Meta Platforms

Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, is a multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in Menlo Park, California. The company focuses on social media services and products, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and has been increasingly investing in artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies.

Mark Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg is the co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its focus beyond social media to include significant investments in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and other emerging technologies.

DeepSeek

DeepSeek is a Chinese technology company known for its advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly in developing efficient machine learning models. Its “mixture of experts” approach has influenced other tech companies, including Meta, in optimizing AI model performance.

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