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Meta Finalizes $14.3 Billion Stake in Scale AI to Drive Superintelligence

The partnership brings Scale AI’s founder into Meta’s ranks to helm a superintelligence lab aimed at boosting the social network’s AI training data.

Meta logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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FILE: CEO of Scale AI Alexandr Wang testifies during a hearing about artificial intelligence on Capitol Hill on July 18, 2023, in Washington, DC.
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Overview

  • Meta has completed a $14.3 billion purchase for a 49 percent stake in Scale AI, valuing the data-labeling startup at $29 billion.
  • Alexandr Wang will join Meta to lead a new research lab focused on developing so-called superintelligence under Mark Zuckerberg’s direction.
  • Scale AI will remain independent with chief strategy officer Jason Droege stepping in as interim CEO after Wang’s departure.
  • The deal ranks as Meta’s second-largest ever acquisition and underscores Zuckerberg’s effort to narrow the gap with AI rivals such as Google and OpenAI.
  • Analysts warn the investment could strain Scale’s ties with other major clients and is unlikely to improve pay or protections for its gig-based data workers.