Why people aren’t buying Mark Zuckerberg’s AI future

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 AUGUST 2026 —

Meta’s AI Vision Faces Skepticism as Zuckerberg Pushes ‘Future for Everyone’

In a recent episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Meta’s AI strategy was dissected by journalists Kirsten Korosec, Rebecca Bellan, and Anthony Ha, alongside AI editor Russell Brandom. Their discussion highlighted a recurring theme: despite Zuckerberg’s optimistic portrayal of AI as a tool for personal empowerment, many remain wary of Meta’s track record and the practicality of its vision.

Zuckerberg’s essay frames AI as a ubiquitous assistant capable of managing schedules, drafting messages, and organizing files—even offline. He positions Meta’s AI models, including the newly introduced Glimmer and Muse Spark, as foundational to this future. However, critics argue that Meta’s historical inconsistencies—from social media’s role in spreading misinformation to the underwhelming reception of its AI chatbots—undermine the credibility of this narrative.

“You look back to the social media days,” Bellan noted. “Zuckerberg said he wanted to ensure everyone had an outlet for connection. What we got instead were ragebaiting and advertisements—not community.” This skepticism extends to Meta’s AI initiatives, where consumer adoption remains limited despite the company’s heavy investments in AI research and talent acquisition.

Meta’s AI push comes amid intense competition among tech giants, with frontrunners like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic dominating the discourse on AI safety and frontier models. Unlike these competitors, which emphasize caution in AI development, Zuckerberg has framed Meta’s approach as a necessity to avoid falling behind China. “We cannot afford to give an inch to China,” he asserted, positioning AI acceleration as both a strategic and economic imperative.

Yet, the practicality of Meta’s vision remains questionable. Bellan recounted her attempt to access Muse Glimmer, only to find it restricted to specific hardware—hardly the “for everyone” promise Zuckerberg espouses. “It’s not for everyone. Not yet,” she remarked. This gap between vision and execution mirrors Meta’s earlier struggles to deliver on its social media promises, raising doubts about whether AI will fare differently.

Stakeholders outside the U.S. are also watching closely. In Southeast Asia, where digital adoption is high but regulatory scrutiny is growing, Meta’s AI ambitions could reshape local tech ecosystems. Analysts suggest that if Meta succeeds in embedding AI into everyday devices, it could accelerate digital transformation across the region. Conversely, if the rollout mirrors past missteps, it may deepen distrust in AI technologies among consumers and policymakers alike.

The skepticism isn’t confined to Meta’s past. Zuckerberg’s manifesto arrives as a biopic on Facebook’s early days looms, potentially reigniting debates about the company’s influence and ethics. “For a variety of reasons, people are suspicious of Mark Zuckerberg and Meta,” Ha observed. “This could amplify concerns as the film brings renewed attention to the company’s legacy.”

Despite the criticism, Zuckerberg’s essay does include a pointed challenge to AI doomers: “If you believe AI will bring doom, why are you building it?” While the question underscores the tension between innovation and caution, it does little to address the broader unease about unchecked AI development. Ha noted that the statement reflects a broader industry dilemma: predictions of AI’s risks often come from those advancing the technology, raising questions about accountability.

As Meta prepares to roll out its AI tools, the company faces a critical test. Can it move beyond its past failures to deliver on a vision that resonates with users? Or will its AI ambitions, like its social media platforms, become another example of hype overshadowing substance?

For now, the answer remains unclear. What is certain is that Zuckerberg’s push for an AI-powered future will face intense scrutiny—not just from competitors, but from a public increasingly wary of tech’s grand promises. In Malaysia and across the region, where digital literacy is rising but trust in big tech is fragile, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The question isn’t just whether Meta’s AI will work, but whether anyone will believe it will.

Related: Google