Meta Platforms has delayed the release of its upcoming artificial intelligence model following internal concerns about its performance, according to reports released this week.
The model, reportedly codenamed “Avocado,” was expected to launch in early 2026 but has now been postponed until at least May 2026 as engineers work to improve its capabilities.
Sources familiar with the development said internal testing showed the system was not performing at the level Meta expected, particularly in areas such as reasoning, coding and complex language tasks — key benchmarks used to evaluate modern generative AI models.
The delay highlights the growing competition in the global AI race, where technology firms are rushing to release increasingly powerful large language models. Meta has been positioning itself to compete with companies such as OpenAI, Google and Anthropic in the generative AI market.
Despite the setback, Meta continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure, including new data centres and advanced computing hardware to support future AI systems.
Industry analysts say delays are common in the development of advanced AI models, as companies often refine performance and safety before public release.
The postponement is unlikely to slow Meta’s broader AI ambitions, but it underscores the technical challenges involved in building next-generation AI models capable of competing with leading systems already on the market.
Senior AI Writer
Bio: Okikiola is a writer and AI enthusiast with a background in Office Technology and Management from the Federal Polytechnic Offa. She went further to study an MSc in International Business at De Montfort University (DMU). With extensive work experience across administrative and business roles, she now focuses on exploring how artificial intelligence can transform work, innovation, and everyday life.