Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, has been making significant strides in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent months. With models like Llama and products like the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, Meta appears to be all-in on AI. However, this shift in focus has raised questions about the company's original ambition to create a metaverse, a virtual world that would revolutionize the way people interact and experience the internet.

As recently as 2025, Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg was touting the metaverse as the future of the company, even going so far as to change the company's name to reflect this new direction. But with the rise of AI, it's unclear whether Meta still plans to pursue its metaverse ambitions. In a recent memo, Meta's CTO Andrew Bosworth suggested that 2025 would be a make-or-break year for the metaverse, either it takes off or falls apart.

Despite this uncertainty, Meta has continued to make progress on its metaverse plans, including the sale of over 1 million units of its Ray-Ban smart glasses last year. The company has also outlined an AR/VR hardware roadmap through 2027, indicating that it still intends to pursue its metaverse vision. However, with the company's shifting priorities and Zuckerberg's changing stance on various issues, it's unclear what the future holds for Meta's metaverse ambitions.

Zuckerberg's vision for the metaverse has always been ambitious, with plans to create a virtual world that would allow people to interact, play, and work together in a immersive and interactive environment. However, the project has faced numerous challenges, including concerns about safety, security, and the potential for misuse. With the rise of AI, it's possible that Meta may be rethinking its approach to the metaverse, or at the very least, adapting its plans to incorporate AI in a more meaningful way.

The metaverse is not the only area where Meta is undergoing significant changes. The company's CEO has been rapidly changing his company's political stances and more forcefully declaring his own values. This shift in tone and direction has led to speculation about what Meta wants to be when it grows up, and whether its metaverse ambitions are still a key part of that vision.

For now, it remains to be seen whether Meta can still make its metaverse ambitions a reality. With the company's focus on AI and its shifting priorities, it's unclear what the future holds for this ambitious project. One thing is certain, however: Meta's metaverse plans will continue to be closely watched by the tech industry and beyond.

In related news, The Verge's Alex Heath and Chris Welch joined the Vergecast podcast to discuss Meta's metaverse plans, as well as the company's recent changes and challenges. The podcast also touched on Sonos, another company undergoing significant changes, including the launch of a new product line and a new management team.