While I agree with your platform point, I think you still need to address OP's question of
> What is their route in profitability when Meta is giving away similar tech for free?
> What is their route in profitability when Meta is giving away similar tech for free?
Meta's Llama3x are great models but they're not providing the same quality and/or accessibility as OpenAI does. Take a look at all the products attempting to sit themselves on top of OpenAI's APIs vs those running on Llama3x; OpenAI dwarfs Meta in that regard, today.
We avoid OpenAI's models/API because of client data sharing constraints and are instead using OSS models, including L3x, but it appears most do not see that as a barrier to adoption and are moving forward with OpenAI's offerings.
We shall see if the work that OpenAI is doing will pay for itself in the long term and whether OSS models can match the gains made with the funding the commercial offerings are receiving, however.
Brand power
Exclusive data deals
Being able to call an API vs having to pay for & devops an always on model yourself