Meta just made a big move in the world of artificial intelligence. The company is spending $14.3 to $15 billion to buy 49% of Scale AI. But more importantly, Meta is bringing in Alexandr Wang, the CEO of Scale AI, to lead a new lab focused on super smart AI. This decision could change Meta’s future and how we think about the next steps in technology.
Meta Partners With Scale AI
Meta acquires key data infrastructure & talent
Meta is buying 49% of Scale AI, a company worth $29 billion. The deal will cost Meta between $14.3 and $15 billion.
Securing Wang to spearhead AGI efforts
This deal isn’t just about money or data. Meta wants Alexandr Wang to lead its new research lab for building very powerful AI, called superintelligence or AGI (Artificial General Intelligence).
Alexandr Wang: Founder, Billionaire, Visionary
Entrepreneurial journey
Wang was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico. His parents are Chinese physicists. He left MIT before finishing and joined Y Combinator. In 2016, he started Scale AI.
AI infrastructural impact
Scale AI helps with data labeling and checking AI models. Big companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, Waymo, and Meta already use its services.
Billionaire by age 24
In 2021, when he was just 24, Wang became the youngest self-made billionaire in the world. As of April 2025, Forbes says he’s worth about $3.6 billion.
Scale AI’s Role: The AI Data Backbone
Core competencies
Scale AI gives very good data for training AI. It uses platforms like Remotasks and Outlier to help with computer vision and large language models.
Independent yet intertwined
After the deal, Scale AI will stay an independent company. But it will work more closely with Meta.
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Meta’s Superintelligence Ambition
Pivot To AGI
Meta is changing its focus to AGI—super smart AI that works like a human brain. Wang will lead a new team to build this.
Talent through org reshuffle
Meta is also changing how it hires people. It is now offering big pay to get top AI experts. This shows Meta is moving away from old plans by AI head Yann LeCun and focusing more on business success.
Strategic Impacts
Catching up with AI leaders
Meta is behind companies like OpenAI and Google, especially after its LLaMA 4 model didn’t do well. Meta hopes Wang and Scale’s strong data can help them catch up.
Redefining M&A models
Like Microsoft and Google, Meta is now doing deals where they don’t fully buy a company. This lets them get smart people and tech without big regulation problems.
Conclusion
Meta’s big investment in Scale AI and hiring Alexandr Wang is a huge step in the global AI race. By combining Scale’s strong data systems and Wang’s leadership, Meta is trying to beat its rivals in building the next generation of smart machines.