In a sweeping address in front of about 2,600 developers on Tuesday, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a bold plan for the social media network's expansion over the next 10 years. Being the undisputed leader in social media, Zuckerberg has set his sights on the biggest prize of all - the world.
Zuckerberg's address, which was conducted during the company's annual software conference, outlined Facebook's plans to reach the planet's 7 billion people through the use of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, lasers and drones.
Though the overall message of the address was one of optimism, however, Zuckerberg's speech eventually turned quite political, with the young CEO taking aim specifically at those who are currently aiming to curb free trade, immigration and connectivity.
"We are one global community. Whether we are welcoming a refugee fleeing war or an immigrant seeking opportunity, coming together to fight a global disease like Ebola or to address climate change," he said.
Seemingly taking a jab at prominent politicians today such as Donald Trump, who have made it a point to foster divisions between the United States and other countries such as Mexico, Zuckerberg reiterated that Facebook's goals have always been to connect people around the world.
"As I look around the world, I'm starting to see people and nations turning inward. I hear fearful voices calling for building walls and distancing people they label as 'others.' I hear them calling for blocking free expression, for slowing immigration, for reducing trade, and in some cases even for cutting access to the Internet," he said.
The CEO then went on to declare that in the current day and age, optimism must rule over fear. He further emphasized that the emergence of technological advancements and innovations must be utilized to "to build bridges" instead of walls.
"It takes courage to choose hope over fear," the CEO said.
In order to achieve the company's goals, Zuckerberg presented a three-pronged plan in order to effectively connect the world. The three pillars of Facebook's global expansion plan involves Artificial Intelligence, which would be designed to understand what users upload and update in the platform, Connectivity, which is aimed at making Facebook available to all users around the world through lasers and drones, as well as Virtual and Augmented Reality, which is expected to become the most social and engaging social platform ever designed.
