Meta takes 49% of Scale in $14.3 Billion AI deal

Meta (NASDAQ:META) is plowing $14.3 billion into Scale, snapping up a 49% stake and valuing the AI data startup at just over $29 billion, while folding Scale's CEO into its new superintelligence team.

Under the deal, Scale CEO Alexandr Wang will join Meta to spearhead its AGI-focused superintelligence research, but Scale itself stays independent, with chief strategy officerturnedinterim CEO Jason Droege at the helm. A handpicked group of Scale engineers will migrate to Meta, though Wang will retain his seat on Scale's board. The investment marks one of the largest single bets on an AI services outfit, underscoring Meta's pivot back into cutting-edge AI after years of chasing social-media growth.

Bringing Scale's data-annotation and model-training prowess in-house accelerates Meta's AGI roadmap without reinventing the wheeland handing the reins to a proven startup founder ensures continuity. By betting big on Scale, Meta not only bulks up its AI talent pipeline but also signals to Wall Street that AGI remains its top long-term growth driver.

As Meta rolls this out, watch for early wins in model accuracy and efficiencyand for how Scale balances newfound Meta resources with its autonomous culture. The wider industry will be gauging whether this hybrid model of investment plus autonomy can really deliver on AGI's lofty promises.