Meta’s AI Ambitions Hit a Wall as Behemoth Model Stalls

Meta has postponed the release of its flagship AI model, Behemoth, originally slated for April 2025, now delayed to fall or later. Despite public claims of superiority over rivals, internal assessments reveal performance issues and training challenges. Engineers question whether the model's enhancements over previous versions justify a public launch. This delay raises concerns about Meta's substantial AI investments, with up to $72 billion in capital expenditures planned for the year. Internal tensions have surfaced, with executives reportedly blaming the Llama 4 team and considering management changes. The setback reflects broader industry challenges, as competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic also face delays in launching advanced models. Meta's stock fell 2.4% following the news.