Meta has secured a $14.3 billion investment for a 49 percent stake in Scale AI and appointed its CEO Alexandr Wang to spearhead its new AI lab.
According to Alexandr Wang(Scale AI CEO), this investment positions Wang as Chief AI Officer and brings significant data-labeling and machine learning expertise into Meta.
Meta also plans to form a “superintelligence” research team under Musk, signaling a major ramp-up in competition with rivals like OpenAI and Google.
Wang, a 28-year-old MIT dropout who founded Scale in 2016 and previously achieved unicorn status with a $7.3 billion valuation, will now answer directly to Mark Zuckerberg.
The deal maintains Scale’s independence; Wang will remain on its board while Jason Droege steps in as interim CEO.
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Meta’s rationale includes accelerating AI progress, rebuilding its Llama model after recent delays and defeat to competitors.
Financial valuation stands at $29 billion for Scale, with the acquired stake enabling Meta to secure access to vital AI data pipelines.
Yet the move drew scrutiny: Google, Scale’s largest client, is reportedly preparing to cut ties over data access concerns post-deal.
Similarly, rival labs like OpenAI and Microsoft are likely re-evaluating their data sourcing relationships with Scale.
Labor groups caution that Scale’s contract workforce, many underpaid, may not benefit from this financial windfall.
Meta’s acquisition of a superintelligence R&D team reflects an aggressive pivot in AI strategy—unifying tech, talent, and infrastructure.
Implementation risks include regulatory scrutiny, internal integration of Scale’s workforce, and balancing independence with Meta’s commercial objectives.
Outcomes to watch include potential restructuring of Scale’s client base and new AI breakthroughs under this high-profile partnership.
