one year on
Meta invests $14.3 billion for 49% stake in Scale AI, lands founder Alexandr Wang
The social media giant gains a leading data-labeling partner and a new superintelligence chief as competition with Google and OpenAI intensifies.
Meta is investing $14.3 billion into Scale AI for a 49% non-voting stake, valuing the data-labeling startup at roughly $29 billion. As part of the deal, Scale CEO and co-founder Alexandr Wang will leave the company to lead Meta’s superintelligence efforts. A small number of Scale AI employees will also join Meta. Jason Droege, Scale’s chief strategy officer and a former Uber executive, steps in as interim CEO.
Scale AI will remain independent, and Meta will not gain access to customer data or business information, a company spokesperson said. The investment will be used to pay shareholders and fund growth. Wang will stay on Scale’s board.
The move comes as Mark Zuckerberg grows frustrated with Meta’s AI progress. CNBC reported this week that the company’s latest Llama models received a tepid reception from developers. Meanwhile, Meta rivals Google, OpenAI and Microsoft are Scale AI customers.
The record
Posted memo on X saying he will stay on as director while leaving as CEO, after writing that 'opportunities of this magnitude often come at a cost.'
One year later — open only if you can handle spoilers
The deal ignited a summer talent war as AI labs scrambled to retain top researchers. Scale AI's valuation later dipped to $25 billion after several clients reduced their reliance. Wang's superintelligence team at Meta produced a reasoning model by early 2026 but faced internal friction with Zuckerberg's existing AI leadership.