Meta bets big on ‘Mango’ and ‘Avocado’ AI models
Meta plans to launch next-gen image, video, and text AI models by 2026. Marketers should take note
Meta is rolling the dice again in the AI arena, this time with code names straight out of a fruit bowl. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the company is developing two major generative AI models: Mango, focused on image and video, and Avocado, a large language model aimed at improving text and code capabilities.
Meta has fallen behind OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google in the generative AI race. The company’s current assistant, Meta AI, is deeply embedded in its platforms but lacks standout traction outside of its distribution advantage. With Mango and Avocado, Meta seems determined to build something foundational, not just functional.
Both models are expected to launch in the first half of 2026 under the direction of Meta’s new superintelligence division, led by Scale AI co-founder Alexandr Wang. This article explores what we know so far and why marketers should be paying close attention.
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Patrecia Meliana
What's going on at Meta's AI lab
The initiative is spearheaded by Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL), a restructured internal team with a fresh leadership roster. Alexandr Wang and Chief Product Officer Chris Cox outlined the new roadmap during an internal Q&A, highlighting a push toward building “world models”. These models are designed to not only generate content but also reason, plan, and act without needing to be trained on every potential outcome.
According to the report, Avocado will be optimized for coding and logical reasoning, while Mango is being developed to deeply understand and generate high-fidelity images and videos. This aligns with Meta’s strategic interest in multimodal AI, which powers everything from content creation tools to virtual assistants and AR or VR applications.
But the path hasn’t been smooth. Despite an influx of talent from rivals earlier this year, some hires have already exited the company. Meta’s Chief AI Scientist Yann LeCun also recently announced he’s leaving to launch his own startup.
Why this matters for AI marketing
Marketers have long watched Meta’s AI efforts for signs of product transformation, but so far, it's been more of a slow boil than a breakout. Meta AI is available across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, but it's often experienced passively, appearing in search bars or as content suggestions.
Mango and Avocado represent something different. These are foundation models that could power a new generation of creative and coding tools. If successful, they could give Meta’s platforms a native advantage in generative content. That includes auto-generated social videos, branded visuals, or campaign copy built directly into Meta's apps.
For marketers, that means two things:
- Integrated AI creation tools may become native to Meta’s ad and content platforms, potentially reducing the need for third-party creative AI tools
- New interfaces like conversational ad creation, smart campaign planning, and auto-generated assets could arrive inside Meta Business Suite or Creator Studio
The big leap is in reasoning. If Avocado delivers on its promise, marketers might soon interact with Meta’s systems more like collaborators than dashboards.
Strategic takeaways for marketers
Here’s what to start thinking about now, well before Mango and Avocado land in 2026.
1. Plan for platform-native generative AI
If Meta bakes Mango into Instagram or WhatsApp, the ability to generate brand visuals or reels on the fly will be a major shift. Brands that understand how to shape prompts and templates now will be ready to scale creative when these tools go live.
2. Keep an eye on content authenticity and trust
AI-generated content inside social platforms could blur lines for consumers. Brands will need a clear disclosure strategy and guardrails for maintaining voice consistency, especially as the volume of content increases.
3. Watch for multimodal ad experiences
Mango and Avocado may power a new wave of AI-personalized ad units, combining text, image, and video based on user behavior. Marketers should get familiar with dynamic creative optimization tools and consider training teams in prompt engineering.
4. Anticipate disruption in AI tool ecosystems
If Meta succeeds in bringing competitive foundation models to market, it could erode demand for standalone generative platforms. Companies relying on external tools for design, scripting, or campaign planning may find themselves reassessing their stack.
Mango and Avocado are not just another AI experiment. They are a signal that Meta is still serious about reclaiming its lead in generative tech. Whether these models succeed will depend on more than technical specs. Execution, integration, and public trust will matter just as much.
For marketers, now is the time to prepare. Audit your current AI workflows, rethink your content creation pipeline, and track how Meta is positioning its tools across platforms. Mango and Avocado might not launch until 2026, but the strategic advantage starts now.
