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Meta’s Bold New Step: A Competitive Stand Against OpenAI’s ChatGPT

by News Editor

April 30, 2025

Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, has introduced a standalone AI application, propelling it directly into competition with OpenAI’s ChatGPT in the fierce AI race. This launch marks Meta’s strategic entry into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.

Key Insights

Meta launched its innovative app, known as Meta AI, featuring an AI chatbot and a ‘Discover’ channel to showcase user interactions with the assistant. Discover more about AI’s progress in Cyprus with our deep dive into Cyprus’s AI Taskforce.
Powered by Meta’s own Llama 4 model, the app promises cost-effective performance over rivals like Gemini, GPT, and DeepSeek.
Integrated within WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, this AI assistant is set to redefine how users globally interact with technology.

Feature Highlights

Meta AI provides users with unprecedented access to image generation, editing, and voice mode for seamless multitasking within other device applications.

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The AI chatbot leverages the internet and user-based data from Meta platforms, like Facebook profiles and Instagram activity, to deliver personalized user experiences with those connected accounts.

Unique interactions are available for users of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, enabling seamless communication between the glasses and the Meta AI app.

Tech Giants in the AI Arena

Beyond Meta, tech leaders like OpenAI (ChatGPT), Google (Gemini), Microsoft (Copilot), and Anthropic (Claude) are carving their niches with standalone AI offerings. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s xAI has its application, Grok, contributing to the competitive AI narrative.

A Pivotal Narrative

Though Meta entered the standalone AI race later than its peers, its deep-rooted integration within social platforms like Facebook and Instagram has allowed extensive AI model training since 2023. By December, Meta AI had engaged 600 million monthly users, surpassing the user base of OpenAI’s 400 million actively engaged weekly users. Despite this, OpenAI’s historical funding efforts powered its valuation at a staggering $300 billion by early 2025. Similarly, xAI’s Grok benefits from Musk’s immense resource pool and his advanced AI training facilities in Memphis.

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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

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In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.