Meta Invests $14.3B in Scale AI, Hires CEO Wang to Spearhead AI Superintelligence

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In a bold move to accelerate its AI ambitions, Meta is investing a significant $14.3 billion for a 49% stake in Scale AI, a leading data provider in the AI industry. As part of the deal, Scale AI’s CEO, Alexandr Wang, will join Meta, reporting directly to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, to lead a new AI division focused on achieving “superintelligence.”

Zuckerberg Lures AI Talent with Lucrative Offers

Sources reveal that Zuckerberg has been personally involved in recruiting top AI researchers from competing firms to bolster Wang’s new team. These recruitment efforts reportedly involve enticing offers, including compensation packages reaching seven and eight figures.

Scale AI’s Role in Shaping the AI Landscape

Scale AI plays a crucial role in the AI ecosystem, providing data annotation and labeling services to industry giants like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. The company’s use of global labor has made it a vital component in training advanced AI models. Following Wang’s departure, Jason Droege, Scale’s former chief strategy officer, will step in as interim CEO.

Strategic Investment Amidst Antitrust Concerns

By opting for a partial acquisition, Meta appears to be employing a common strategy among Big Tech companies: acquiring key talent and investing in promising startups. While this approach aims to mitigate antitrust scrutiny, the Scale AI deal is still expected to face regulatory review, despite Meta receiving only non-voting shares.

Meta’s AI Push Follows Llama 4 Disappointment

This strategic investment comes after the underwhelming launch of Meta’s Llama 4 earlier this year. Zuckerberg has publicly stated that developing a leading personal AI assistant, Meta AI, and achieving full general intelligence are top priorities for the company in 2025.

Meta’s commitment to AI is further demonstrated by the recent release of a standalone Meta AI app, which briefly topped the App Store charts. As Meta intensifies its efforts to compete with rivals in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, the acquisition of a stake in Scale AI and the recruitment of Alexandr Wang mark a significant step forward.

Keywords: Meta, Scale AI, Alexandr Wang, Mark Zuckerberg, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Investment, Acquisition, Llama 4, Superintelligence, Data Annotation, AI Talent, Antitrust

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