Meta is set to buy a 49% stake in AI data startup Scale AI for $14.8 billion, sources told The Information. The deal hasn’t closed yet.
Scale AI, founded in 2016, provides huge amounts of labeled training data—the kind used by models like ChatGPT. Its current investors include Accel, Index Ventures, Founders Fund, and Greenoaks.
As part of the deal, Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang will join Meta to run a new "superintelligence" lab. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been hunting top AI talent as the company pushes to catch up. 
Meta faces pressure after the April release of its Llama 4 LLMs failed to impress. The company also postponed its flagship “Behemoth” AI model over capability concerns, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Meta is also under antitrust scrutiny for past acquisitions like Instagram and WhatsApp. The structure of the potential Scale AI deal may be designed to avoid further regulatory heat.
Scale AI was valued at $13.8 billion in a recent funding round. It made roughly $870 million in revenue in 2024 and expects over $2 billion this year. The startup had more than $900 million cash on hand last year.
Meta, Scale AI, and the investors have not responded to requests for comment.
"Meta Platforms has agreed to take a 49% stake in artificial intelligence startup Scale AI for $14.8 billion," sources told The Information.
"Founded in 2016, Scale AI provides vast amounts of labeled data or curated training data, which is crucial for developing sophisticated tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT."
"As part of the deal, Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang will take a top position inside Meta, leading a new ‘superintelligence’ lab," the report said.
"Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been actively recruiting top AI researchers to boost the company’s AI efforts."
"Meta delayed the release of its flagship ‘Behemoth’ AI model due to concerns about its capabilities, the Wall Street Journal reported last month."
"Scale AI was valued at $13.8 billion in a funding round last spring. It generated about $870 million in revenue in 2024 and expects more than $2 billion this year."
