Meta is aggressively investing in artificial intelligence, allocating billions to infrastructure and talent acquisition. The company's capital expenditure for 2025 is projected to reach between $64 billion and $72 billion, a significant increase from previous estimates. This investment supports the development of AI data centres, including a massive facility comparable in size to a significant part of Manhattan. Meta aims to secure its position in the AI race, focusing on artificial superintelligence (ASI) through its Superintelligence Lab.
To achieve its AI ambitions, Meta is engaging in a talent war, recruiting top AI researchers from companies like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic. The company is reportedly offering substantial compensation packages, including bonuses reaching up to $100 million, to attract leading experts in the field. Meta's recruitment strategy involves luring talent with access to vast computing resources, autonomy, and direct collaboration with CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The company's AI initiatives extend to various applications, including AI assistants, video ad generators, and wearable smart devices, with the goal of generating new revenue streams.
Despite these significant investments, some analysts caution that the long-term financial impact of Meta's AI push remains uncertain. Concerns exist regarding the potential for misallocated capital and the need for Meta to demonstrate a clear path to monetising its AI advancements. Meta is also facing increasing competition and regulatory scrutiny, which could impact its ability to leverage user data and achieve its AI goals.
