Meta Platforms has agreed to take a 49% stake in synthetic intelligence startup Scale AI for $14.8 billion, The Data reported on Tuesday, citing two individuals acquainted with the matter.
Based in 2016, Scale AI supplies huge quantities of labeled information or curated coaching information, which is essential for growing subtle instruments comparable to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
The deal, which has not been finalized but, seems to be useful for Scale AI’s traders together with Accel, Index Ventures, Founders Fund and Greenoaks, in addition to its present and former workers, the report stated.
Meta, Scale AI and the startup’s traders didn’t instantly reply to Reuters’ requests for remark.
As a part of the deal, Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang will take a prime place inside Meta, main a brand new “superintelligence” lab, in keeping with the report.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been actively recruiting prime AI researchers to spice up the corporate’s AI efforts, the report stated.
The corporate is preventing the notion that it could have fallen behind within the AI race after its preliminary set of Llama 4 massive language fashions launched in April fell wanting efficiency expectations.
Meta delayed the discharge of its flagship “Behemoth” AI mannequin resulting from issues about its capabilities, the Wall Road Journal reported final month.
The corporate can be going through antitrust issues associated to its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
Based on The Data report, the construction for the potential take care of Scale AI may very well be designed to keep away from extra regulatory scrutiny.
Scale AI was valued at $13.8 billion in a funding spherical final spring. It generated about $870 million in income in 2024 and expects greater than $2 billion this 12 months, the report stated.
The corporate had greater than $900 million of money on its steadiness sheet on the finish of final 12 months, in keeping with the report.
