In a bold move, Meta is working closely with the US government to bring its AI technology, Llama, into various public sector applications. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced during Meta's Q3 earnings call on October 25 that the company is actively partnering with public institutions to explore ways Llama can support key government initiatives. His statement has sparked curiosity around the extent of Meta's involvement in public sector projects and the specific uses of its AI models.
Meta explores partnerships with key government departments
Meta is engaging with several government agencies to investigate how its AI could help address complex societal challenges. According to a Meta spokesperson, Faith Eischen, the tech giant has already collaborated with the US State Department to determine how Llama could help with critical global needs, such as expanding access to clean water and reliable electricity in developing regions and supporting small businesses.
Beyond the State Department, Meta has also been in contact with the Department of Education. The goal here, says Eischen, is to use Llama to make the financial aid process more user-friendly for students, simplifying procedures that are often complex and challenging to navigate. Discussions with other agencies are ongoing as Meta looks to identify additional areas where its AI can benefit the government.
Interestingly, Eischen confirmed that these partnerships are not financially driven; Meta is not receiving payment for these collaborations. Instead, the focus seems to be on positioning Llama as a valuable tool for government use, potentially setting the stage for Meta's AI systems to become standard assets within federal programs.
Growing interest in AI as tech giants court the public sector
Meta's outreach to the government comes during intense competition among AI companies, all vying for public sector interest. Several of Meta's AI competitors have also taken significant steps to partner with government bodies in recent months. OpenAI and Anthropic, for example, have committed to sharing their models with the US AI Safety Institute for security screenings. Similarly, Google's previous work with the Pentagon highlights how tech companies are establishing closer ties with government agencies to bring advanced AI capabilities into public sector applications.
Given the current political environment, Meta's partnerships are strategic and timely. Recently, former President Donald Trump, now a presidential candidate, made headlines by threatening to imprison Zuckerberg, despite Meta's visible attempts to maintain a neutral stance on political matters. This stance reflects a balancing act that Meta seems to navigate carefully as it pursues government collaborations.
During the Q3 earnings call, Zuckerberg teased the next generation of the Llama model, slated for release in 2025. According to Zuckerberg, this upgraded version will feature “stronger reasoning capabilities” and faster performance, built on a larger AI training cluster than what has been publicly reported for any other models. Despite investor concerns about short-term spending, Meta's increased investment in AI signals its commitment to advancing the technology and securing a competitive position.
Meta's growth holds steady amidst AI expansion
Despite developments in AI and government collaboration, Meta continues to show solid financial growth. In Q3, the company reported revenues of US$40.5 billion, marking a 19% increase from the previous year, with a profit of US$17.3 billion. Meta's user base remains robust, with 3.29 billion people engaging with at least one of its platforms daily—an impressive 5% increase from the previous year.
Zuckerberg is optimistic about Meta's AI-driven future, describing this period as “the most dynamic moment” he has witnessed in the industry. Despite the challenges and uncertainties of AI development and public sector engagement, he remains focused on building impactful tools and capitalising on new opportunities.
As Meta continues its push into the public sector, these partnerships could reshape how government agencies approach complex societal issues while positioning Meta as a key player in the AI landscape.
