Code Llama will be free for most users, but Meta will charge some large companies for access to the software, the company said. Meta has been investing heavily in generative AI technologies.

Meta Platforms Inc. launched a new artificial intelligence coding tool in the social media company’s latest bid to compete with Microsoft Corp.-backed OpenAI and Alphabet Inc.’s Google.

A.I. tools from Microsoft and other companies are helping write code, placing software engineers at the forefront of the technology’s potential to disrupt the work force.

I think it’s possible that an A.I. that automates building useful software could also automate the creation of malicious code, or even lead to autonomous cyberattacks.