Meta Platforms Inc. Announces Major Investment in Scale AI Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) is making a strategic move into the artificial intelligence (AI) sector with a planned $14.8 billion investment for a 49% stake in Scale AI, a leading provider of data-labeling services essential for AI model training. This investment signifies Meta's most ambitious pivot towards AI to date, especially after the underperformance of its Llama 4 model and delays in launching the 'Behemoth' AI flagship model. Scale AI's CEO, Alexandr Wang, will join Meta to lead a new 'superintelligence' lab, working alongside a 50-person research team under Mark Zuckerberg's direct supervision.

The deal, however, comes under the shadow of increasing regulatory scrutiny from U.S. antitrust authorities, including the FTC and DOJ, which are examining minority investments under Clayton Act provisions. This scrutiny raises questions about Meta's ability to navigate past regulatory challenges, similar to those faced with its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. Despite these concerns, the investment is bolstered by Scale AI's projected revenue doubling to over $2 billion by 2025, offering a potentially lucrative return for early investors.

As of June 11, 2025, Meta's stock was trading at $700.45, experiencing a slight decrease of $1.95 (-0.28%) for the day. The stock's intraday trading ranged between $697.72 and $708.54, with a trading volume of approximately 4.8 million shares. This investment represents a critical juncture for Meta as it seeks to redefine its position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, amidst both financial and regulatory challenges.