So Meta had this massive AI project in the works called Behemoth…
And get this: It was meant to be their big open-source flex — a powerhouse model that would make waves. But after months of training and internal buzz, it apparently fell flat in testing.
And now? Meta’s reportedly hitting pause. And not the “we’ll circle back later” kind of pause — more like “maybe this whole open-source strategy needs a rethink” kind of pause.
Yep. Word on the street (okay, The New York Times) is that inside Meta’s brand-new Superintelligence Lab, there’s talk of ditching open models altogether and going full closed.
That basically means Meta might be joining the “you-can-look-but-you-can’t-touch” club alongside OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and the rest of the closed-model gang.
Why?
Because closed models = more control, more $$$, and honestly? Open source sounds great… until your rivals are raking in profits and your model’s just sitting there not delivering.
And let’s be real — Meta’s “we’re so open-source” energy always felt a bit... non-committal.
Even Zuck said last year that they’d only stay open as long as it felt “responsible.” If things ever got too powerful or risky, they’d pull back — and folks, it kinda feels like that moment is now.
So what happens if Meta actually walks away from open source? A lot:
They were the MVP of the open-source movement. Models like Llama sparked a whole wave of innovation. If Meta dips now, that momentum could stall — especially for smaller startups building tools for safety, fine-tuning, and alignment.
The balance of power shifts. Fewer open models mean more gatekeeping, more paywalls, and more control in the hands of a few big players.
And weirdly, China could win big. Over there, open-source AI is still booming. Models like DeepSeek and Moonshot AI are powering China’s global AI strategy — and if Meta backs out, it could open the door even wider for them to take the lead.
Long story short:
Meta might be done playing open-source superhero. Behemoth underwhelmed, the vibes shifting, and now it’s looking like it’s all about control, monetization, and keeping the good stuff locked up tight.
Here’s the complete report.
