In today’s digest, we discuss Meta’s AI shake-up as leaders weigh up Google and OpenAI models amid new hires, Australia’s social media ban for kids presenting risks, and Publicis Groupe Australia launching Influential agency.

Meta’s AI shake-up: leaders weigh up Google, OpenAI models amid new hires

Meta is weighing up partnerships with Google and OpenAI to boost AI features in its apps, according to The Information. Leaders at Meta Superintelligence Labs have discussed using Google’s Gemini model for conversational responses in Meta AI, the company’s main chatbot. Talks also include using OpenAI’s models to power Meta AI and other social media tools.

These deals would be short-term. Meta wants to improve its AI products while developing its own technology. A key focus is making sure Llama 5, Meta’s next model, can compete with top rivals. 

Meta says it is pursuing multiple strategies: building its own models, forming partnerships, and open sourcing technology. Google, OpenAI, and Microsoft have not commented on the report.

Meanwhile, Zuckerberg is driving the biggest leadership shake-up in Meta’s 20-year history,heavily leaning on new hires. Recent additions include Shengjia Zhao, former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang, and former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman.

Zhao, co-creator of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, threatened to quit within just days of joining Meta. He even signed paperwork to return to OpenAI before Meta named him chief AI scientist. The episode underscores the tension inside Meta as it pushes to dominate artificial intelligence.

Report on Australia's Under 16 Social Ban Raises Concerns

Australia will ban social media accounts for users under 16 starting December. Platforms must take reasonable steps to block sign-ups and deactivate existing accounts. Companies that fail face fines up to AUD$50m (£24.1m). The federal government hired the UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme to test enforcement options for the ban, and the final report 

A government-commissioned report released on Sunday (31st August) says enforcement is possible but comes with risks. Age checks can use ID documents, parental approval, or facial analysis. Each method has privacy and accuracy issues. ID checks are most reliable but raise data retention concerns. Facial analysis is 92% accurate for adults but struggles with teens near the cutoff age.

Users aged 16 have an 8.5% chance of being flagged underage, requiring backup checks such as ID verification or parental consent. Accuracy also drops for older adults and female-presenting individuals near policy thresholds.

Experts warn the system may not be ready by December. “There are a lot of variations in accuracy,” said Justine Humphry, a media researcher at the University of Sydney. “That variation is concerning with the tight schedule for the introduction of a system that will need to be robust and working by the end of this year.”

Publicis Groupe Australia launches Influential agency

Publicis Groupe Australia has launched Influential, a new agency focused on social and influencer marketing. The agency combines the Groupe’s social, content, and influencer capabilities into one end-to-end solution for brands.

Influential will integrate strategy, creative, content production, influencer partnerships, and social media buying. It builds on Publicis Groupe’s global acquisitions of Influential in 2024 and Captiv8 in 2025. The agency includes more than 30 specialists in social strategy, content, and paid media. The agency already works with major brands across telecom, FMCG, retail, beauty, and food.

Michael Rebelo, CEO of Publicis Groupe ANZ, said influencer marketing has grown significantly over the past 18 months and requires a unified approach. He added that “By integrating our influencer expertise, platform, creative strategy, content production and social media buying, we now have Australia’s most connected influencer and social agency.”