Meta Unveils Open-Source AI Coding Solution

Meta Platforms made another push in the generative AI arena. The social network company launched an open-source coding tool.

Facebook parent explained it is releasing a large language model dubbed Code Llama, that can use text prompts to generate and discuss code, with the potential to make workflows faster and more efficient for developers. The offering will also lower the barrier to entry for people learning coding and has the potential to be used as a productivity and education tool, claimed Meta Platforms.

Code Llama will be available for free for research and commercial use, in line with its open approach to AI development. The company is building the model on top of Llama 2, an open-source language model it took the lid off last month which encourages testing of the technology from established businesses and start-ups.

By offering its technology for free, Meta Platforms’ could take business away from competitors which charge for such software. Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot, for example, is powered by OpenAI and also offers companies AI coding tools but at a cost. Meta is also planning to release a consumer chatbot similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard, in the coming weeks.