- Meta plans to close down its collaboration suite Workplace by 2026 as it directs its focus towards developing AI and the metaverse.
- According to a statement on Tuesday, “Over the next two years, we will provide our Workplace customers the option to transition to Zoom’s Workvivo product, Meta’s only preferred migration partner.”
- The company said the billing and payment arrangements will remain the same for Workplace customers until August this year.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, announced on Tuesday its decision to discontinue its work-focused Workplace app as it redirects its efforts towards the development of artificial intelligence and metaverse technologies.
Meta’s shift towards AI and metaverse technologies
Beginning in June 2026, Workplace will be phased out for customers, although Meta intends to maintain its use internally as a messaging board until August 2025, allowing users continued access to the product during this transition period.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Meta explained, “We are discontinuing Workplace to concentrate on advancing AI and metaverse technologies, which we believe will fundamentally transform the way we work. Over the next two years, we will offer our Workplace customers the option to transition to Zoom’s Workvivo product, Meta’s sole preferred migration partner.”
Originally introduced in 2016, Workplace provided enterprise communications solutions with features such as multi-company groups and shared spaces, facilitating collaboration among employees from various organisations.
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Meta’s strategic focus on AI and metaverse
This strategic move reflects Meta’s significant investments in AI products and the metaverse, a virtual environment it envisions as the next evolution of the internet.
However, concerns about escalating costs and their potential impact on growth accompany these endeavours.
Until August of this year, Workplace customers will maintain their existing billing and payment arrangements.
Currently, Workplace offers a core plan priced at $4 per user per month, with additional add-ons available starting from $2 per user per month.
Billing for organisations without a fixed plan is based on the number of billable users each month.
