Meta Invests $15B in AI Race

Meta is investing 15 billion to acquire AI brains as it attempts to stay competitive with Microsoft, OpenAI, Amazon, and Anthropic. The market recognizes algorithmic power as a measure of economic influence. Meta has invested nearly $14.8 billion to acquire 49% of Scale AI, founded by Alexandr Wang, age 28. The goal is to gain access to data labeling, a critical component of AI training. This is part of a strategy to regain the lead.

Zuckerberg is overseeing Wang's integration into a new lab focused on “superintelligence.” This unit consists of approximately fifty individuals recruited from top AGI teams, with the goal of surpassing GPT-4. Llama 4's launch did not have the anticipated impact, and the Behemoth project is behind schedule. Meta is shifting from an open-source approach to a more closed and secretive model, signaling that data is a key element.

Silicon Valley AI Competition

The AI competition is fragmenting within Silicon Valley, with Meta, OpenAI, xAI, and Google DeepMind competing for talent, GPUs, and office space. The focus is on large-scale model optimization with top talent. Meta engineers are being targeted by OpenAI with significant bonuses. New companies like Elon Musk’s xAI are progressing rapidly. Some are focused on open and ethical AGI, while others are building teams with substantial funding.

Alexandr Wang's Strategic Role

Alexandr Wang is positioned as a key player, capable of orchestrating AI industrialization. His role extends beyond technology, representing a generational shift in digital leadership.

Questions and Concerns

Meta's investment raises questions about whether it aims to catch up or control access to AI. The $15 billion investment seeks innovation and exclusive control of critical data. Control of data translates to control of AI, raising concerns about technical monopoly and cultural dependence. Regulators anticipate antitrust investigations in the United States and Europe. The digital landscape may be repeating patterns of concentration, acceleration, and domination. This investment is described as Meta's biggest AI bet, a technological race where data is the key.

Facing competitors like OpenAI, Zuckerberg aims to move quickly and decisively. Social networks are becoming the next battleground, with OpenAI developing a social network to compete with X and Meta. AI is transforming technology and human interaction.