Meta Plans Major AI Tools and Shopping Features for 2026

He described 2026 as a big year for Meta, including pushing out more advanced AI tools, accelerating business operations and getting the company ready for long-term growth.

By Published: January 29, 2026 12:17 AM EST Updated: January 29, 2026 12:42 AM EST 92.3k
Mark Zuckerberg announcing Meta’s AI strategy and 2026 technology roadmap
Mark Zuckerberg | Credit: Fortune

Mark Zuckerberg verifies Meta will debut new AI tools and devices in the coming months. He said his company had spent 2025 rebuilding its AI systems and was now ready to start rolling out new features in 2026.

And while he didn’t share exact timelines or specifics, Zuckerberg underscored that shopping powered by AI will be a central focus. He noted new tools to assist users in finding products from businesses, with intelligent shopping assistants. The move follows a series of tech companies, including Google and OpenAI, developing AI systems that can assist users in making a purchase.

What makes Meta unique, Zuckerberg says, is its ability to tap into personal data. He says Meta can develop a more personalized experience for users than its opponents, provided it has access to information about a user’s past activity and interests, and someone’s connections. The other benefit of AI agents is that they can “understand the personal context,” which Meta has a good shot at enabling, said he.

In December, Meta boosted its artificial intelligence work with the acquisition of Manus, an effort that builds general purpose digital agents. Meta will continue to offer Manus services while incorporating the technology into its own platforms.

The update accompanied Meta’s quarterly earnings report, which showed a big jump in planned spending. The company projects that it will invest between $115 billion and $135 billion in infrastructure in 2026, compared with the previous year’s $72 billion. The budget hike will be used to fund Meta’s AI research and key business activities.

It’s a huge amount, but that would still fall well short of the $600 billion total Zuckerberg is said to want to spend on infrastructure by 2028. Investors have questioned in the past how AI spending has paid off for Meta financially, but Zuckerberg insists results are around the corner.

He described 2026 as a big year for Meta, including pushing out more advanced AI tools, accelerating business operations and getting the company ready for long-term growth.

Business Outstanders brings you sharp insights on tech, business, entrepreneurship, law, crypto, and more. We uncover what’s next. Stay updated, sign up for our newsletter and be part of the future!

Read exclusive insights, in-depth reporting, and stories shaping global business with Business Outstanders. Sign up here.

Emily Wilson is a business strategist and editor at Business Outstanders, where she covers small business growth, entrepreneurship, and leadership. With over 3 years of experience in business content and strategy, she has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs navigate growth challenges through research-backed, actionable insights. Follow her work on LinkedIn.

Feedback: Email contact@businessoutstanders.com to point out mistakes, provide story tips.