Meta Platforms Inc. is set to launch Llama 4, its latest open-source large language model, with enhanced reasoning capabilities and improved voice features. The company is betting on the future of AI agents being conversational rather than text-led, aiming to integrate these advanced capabilities into its AI offerings in the coming weeks. The deployment of these AI agents is targeted at 'hundreds of millions' of businesses, particularly the 200 million small businesses worldwide, according to Meta's head of AI for Business, Clara Shih. She emphasized the potential for AI to act as a 24/7 concierge service, automating complex tasks and enhancing customer engagement across Meta's platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. This move by Meta is part of a broader push in the AI industry, with competitors like OpenAI and Google also advancing their AI technologies. Meta's strategy includes making AI accessible to businesses of all sizes, thereby revolutionizing how they operate and interact with customers.