Overview
- Reporting indicates Avocado could be proprietary with paid access rather than released as open source.
- Sources say the launch window has shifted to early 2026 after expectations for a 2025 debut.
- The model is reportedly being trained by distilling outputs from Google’s Gemma, OpenAI’s gpt-oss, and Alibaba’s Qwen.
- Use of Qwen in training raises potential complications for sales to national security or other sensitive customers, according to analysts’ commentary in coverage.
- Meta has reallocated budgets and overhauled teams for the push, with Zuckerberg closely directing TBD Lab, proposed cuts to Reality Labs, layoffs at FAIR, and departures including Yann LeCun.