Mark Zuckerberg in a future forecast: "It will reach billions within five years"
Meta is aiming for a consumer revolution that will move AI from developers to users end-to-end, alongside promoting an ambitious vision of "business in a box." However, the massive costs of the move are already shaking the company's reports.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg presented an ambitious vision for the future of artificial intelligence, estimating that within five years, billions of people will use personal AI agents to manage daily tasks, assist in decision-making, and accompany them on a regular basis.
In the investor call following the second quarter 2026 results, Zuckerberg explained that future agents will understand user goals and assist in areas including financial management, health, relationships, and routine tasks. According to him, this is "the cornerstone for Meta's next wave of products and revenue."
The main challenge today is to turn artificial intelligence from a product intended for developers into a simple, accessible tool for the general public.
"For a personal agent to be truly successful, it needs to work immediately, without complexity, and offer a user experience that is suitable for billions of people," he said.
Meta plans to turn WhatsApp into the central platform for operating AI agents. The company notes that most interactions with Meta AI already occur through the messaging service, and in the future, users will be able to manage several agents simultaneously through it.
At the same time, the company is expanding its operations for businesses. More than a million businesses use AI agents weekly via WhatsApp and Messenger, and Meta plans to launch a "business in a box" solution, allowing users to create and manage an entire business using its platforms.
However, massive investments come at a significant cost. Meta updated that its 2026 capital expenditures are expected to reach at least 130 billion dollars. Additionally, it announced the establishment of new data centers as part of a 14 billion dollar project in collaboration with BlackRock.
The Reality Labs division continues to weigh on financial results. In the last quarter, the division recorded an operating loss of 4.6 billion dollars, with cumulative losses since 2021 crossing the 80 billion dollar mark. Following the report, Meta's stock declined by approximately 10%.
Despite high costs and negative market reaction, Zuckerberg remains optimistic:
"My personal bet is that those who invest in this field will see a significant return on it over time."
