In the year 2025, there has been a flurry of unique announcements concerning Mark Zuckerberg’s social media platforms. Notably, in March, Zuckerberg heralded the revival of the “OG Facebook,” or the original version of Facebook.

While Meta’s social network has often been criticized for deviating too far from its original ethos, there are hints that Facebook may be undergoing a transformation in the coming months. Although the introduction of the new “Friends” tab suggested a return to its roots for Facebook, Zuckerberg’s latest statement has raised some eyebrows…

New Virtual Friends?

You’ve probably already connected with your immediate family, friends, office colleagues, and perhaps even some acquaintances on Facebook and Instagram, but have you considered adding “virtual” friends?

If your friend list is already extensive, Meta’s new feature might provide an opportunity to expand your social circle further. In a detailed conversation exceeding an hour with American podcaster Dwarkesh Patel, the Facebook CEO unveiled an intriguing concept that is likely to spark widespread discussion in the days to come…

With Meta AI, which has recently regained prominence through a dedicated app launched in late April, the company has demonstrated its determination to keep pace with OpenAI, Google Gemini, and other competitors.

Meta’s artificial intelligence, which is already integrated into its social networks, might take a leap further by incorporating virtual friends. According to Zuckerberg, this feature would allow Facebook and Instagram users to receive advice on their real-life relationships or ask personal questions they might hesitate to ask their real-life acquaintances.

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Fewer Than Three “Real” Friends for the Average American

While Meta’s concept might seem unusual, it is actually based on a very stark reality. According to Zuckerberg, the average American only has three people they consider friends, despite wishing to have around fifteen.

In light of this, and with increasing difficulty in forming genuine connections since the 2020 health crisis, Meta aims to combat the loneliness many Americans feel. However, at this point, this is still just an idea, with Zuckerberg not yet announcing any specific launch dates…