Inside Meta’s $14.3B Deal to Supercharge Its AI Ambitions

Meta finalizes $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI, sources say, poaching CEO Wang

Meta has invested $14.3 billion in AI startup Scale and brought on its 28-year-old CEO Alexandr Wang to lead a new superintelligence unit. This move signals Meta’s strong push to stay competitive in the global AI race.

Meta Makes a Massive AI Investment

Meta is making one of its boldest moves yet in the world of artificial intelligence. The tech giant has invested $14.3 billion for a nearly 50% stake in Scale AI, a fast-rising startup that provides high-quality data for training AI models. But that’s not all Meta has also brought on Scale’s young and brilliant CEO, Alexandr Wang, to lead a new internal division focused on building advanced AI, often referred to as “superintelligence.”

The 28-Year-Old Behind the Deal

At just 28, Alexandr Wang has already made a name for himself in Silicon Valley. As the founder of Scale AI, he’s worked with some of the biggest names in tech, helping them fine-tune their AI systems using well-organized data. Now, he’s taking on a new challenge at Meta, spearheading a team that aims to develop smarter, more powerful AI systems.

Why Meta Did This

Meta has been working on its own AI models like Llama, but it’s been playing catch-up with rivals like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google. With this new investment and Wang joining the company, Meta is hoping to fast-track its AI development. Instead of relying only on researchers, Meta is now betting on a leader who has real-world business experience and a strong technical background.

What Happens to Scale AI?

While Wang will now work at Meta, he’s not leaving Scale AI entirely. He will remain on the board, and Scale’s strategy chief will take over as interim CEO. Some team members from Scale are also expected to join Meta, though the companies will continue to operate separately.

A Smart but Risky Bet

This deal is not just about technology, it’s about talent. Meta is taking a big risk by investing billions and shifting leadership. But it’s clear they believe that building smarter AI needs new leadership and fresh ideas. By bringing in Wang, Meta is hoping to make a giant leap forward in the AI race.