Meta's AI Investment & Metaverse

Meta Focuses on AI to Bolster Metaverse

Meta Platforms, Inc. is increasing its focus on artificial intelligence (AI). The company, previously known as Facebook, Inc., has reportedly agreed to acquire a 49% stake in Scale AI, a company created by a Canadian group, according to The Information. The deal is not yet finalized.

Scale AI’s investors, including Accel, Index Ventures, Founders Fund, and Greenoaks, along with current and former employees, are optimistic that Meta’s involvement will help the AI platform expand. Scale AI’s website describes it as a co-investment and innovation hub that is supported by government subsidies and private contributions. It received $284 million from the Canadian Government and $53 million from the Government of Quebec.

Scale AI and Meta's Superintelligence Lab

Scale AI provides extensive training data that is important for developing tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or China’s DeepSeek. This could be very helpful for Meta’s planned “superintelligence” lab.

Earlier this year, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer Andrew “Boz” Bosworth stated that 2025 would be a critical year for the metaverse division, Reality Labs, to prove its value.

Meta’s Form 10-K filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, revealed that metaverse investments led to a $17.73 billion reduction in overall operating profit. Critics suggest that the new superintelligence project may be another large-scale failure, similar to the metaverse project.

Partnership with Anduril Industries

Meta has partnered with Anduril Industries, a technology provider for the US military. This partnership will integrate Meta’s AI and metaverse technology into training programs for American military personnel. The companies expect their XR and AI solutions to improve information gathering and detection on the battlefield. The program aims to maintain US technological superiority using private funding instead of taxpayer money.

Scale AI’s solutions are expected to be important for Meta’s involvement in the USA’s $320 billion military-industrial complex.