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AI is forcing the data industry to consolidate — but that’s not the whole story | TechCrunch

AI is forcing the data industry to consolidate — but that’s not the whole story | TechCrunch

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The data industry is on the verge of a drastic transformation.

The market is consolidating. And if the deal flow in the past two months is any indicator — with Databricks buying Neon for $1 billion and Salesforce snapping up cloud management firm Informatica for $8 billion — momentum is building for more.

The acquired companies may range in size, age, and focus area within the data stack, but they all have one thing in common. These companies are being bought in hopes the acquired technology will be the missing piece needed to get enterprises to adopt AI.

On the surface level, this strategy makes sense.

The success of AI companies, and AI applications, is determined by access to quality underlying data. Without it, there simply isn’t value — a belief shared by enterprise VCs. In a TechCrunch survey conducted in December 2024, enterprise VCs said data quality was a key factor to make AI startups stand out and succeed. And while some of these companies involved in these deals aren’t startups, the sentiment still stands.

Gaurav Dhillon, the former co-founder and CEO of Informatica, and current chairman and CEO at data integration company SnapLogic, echoed this in a recent interview with TechCrunch.

“There is a complete reset in how data is managed and flows around the enterprise,” Dhillon said. “If people want to seize the AI imperative, they have to redo their data platforms in a very big way. And this is where I believe you’re seeing all these data acquisitions, because this is the foundation to have a sound AI strategy.”

But is this strategy of snapping up companies built before a post-ChatGPT world the way to increase enterprise AI adoption in today’s rapidly innovating market? That’s unclear. Dhillon has doubts too.

“Nobody was born in AI; that’s only three years old,” Dhillon said, referring to the current post-ChatGPT AI market. “For a larger company, to provide AI innovations to re-imagine the enterprise, the agentic enterprise in particular, it’s going to need a lot of retooling to make it happen.”

Fragmented data landscape

The data industry has grown into a sprawling and fragmented web over the past decade — which makes it ripe for consolidation. All it needed was a catalyst. From 2020 through 2024 alone, more than $300 billion was invested into data startups across more than 24,000 deals, according to PitchBook data.

The data industry wasn’t immune to the trends seen in other industries like SaaS where the venture swell of the last decade resulted in numerous startups getting funded by venture capitalists that only targeted one specific area or were in some cases built around a single feature.

The current industry standard of bundling together a bunch of different data management solutions, each with its own specific focus, doesn’t work when you want AI to crawl around your data to find answers or build applications.

It makes sense that larger companies are looking to snap up startups that can plug into and fill existing gaps in their data stack. A perfect example of this trend is Fivetran’s recent acquisition of Census in May — which yes, was done in the name of AI.

Fivetran helps companies move their data from a variety of sources into cloud databases. For the first 13 years of its business, it didn’t allow customers to move this data back out of said databases, which is exactly what Census offers. This means prior to this acquisition, Fivetran customers needed to work with a second company to create an end-to-end solution.

To be clear, this isn’t meant to cast shade on Fivetran. At the time of the deal, George Fraser, the co-founder and CEO of Fivetran, told TechCrunch that while moving data in and out of these warehouses seems like two sides of the same coin, it’s not that simple; the company even tried and abandoned an in-house solution to this problem.

“Technically speaking, if you look at the code underneath [these] services, they’re actually pretty different,” Fraser said at the time. “You have to solve a pretty different set of problems in order to do this.”

This situation helps illustrate how the data market has transformed in the last decade. For Sanjeev Mohan, a former Gartner analyst who now runs SanjMo, his own data trend advisory firm, these types of scenarios are a big driver of the current wave of consolidation.

“This consolidation is being driven by customers being fed up with a multitude of products that are incompatible,” Mohan said. “We live in a very interesting world where there are a lot of different data storage solutions, you can do open source, they can go to Kafka, but the one area where we have failed is metadata. Dozens of these products are capturing some metadata but to do their job, it’s an overlap.”

Good for startups

The broader market plays a role here too, Mohan said. Data startups are struggling to raise capital, Mohan said, and an exit is better than having to wind down or load up on debt. For the acquirers, adding features gives them better pricing leverage and an edge against their peers.

“If Salesforce or Google isn’t acquiring these companies, then their competitors likely are,” Derek Hernandez, a senior emerging tech analyst at PitchBook, told TechCrunch. “The best solutions are being acquired currently. Even if you have an award-winning solution, I don’t know that the outlook for staying private ultimately wins over going to a larger [acquirer].”

This trend brings big benefits to the startups getting acquired. The venture market is starving for exits and the current quiet period for IPOs doesn’t leave them a lot of opportunities. Getting acquired not only provides that exit, but in many cases gives these founding teams room to keep building.

Mohan agreed and added that many data startups are feeling the pains of the current market regarding exits and the slow recovery of venture funding.

“At this point in time, acquisition has been a much more favorable exit strategy for them,” Hernandez said. “So I think, kind of both sides are very incentivized to get to the finish line on these. And I think Informatica is a good example of that, where even with a bit of a haircut from where Salesforce was talking to them last year, it’s still, you know, was the best solution, according to their board.”

What happens next

But the doubt still remains if this acquisition strategy will achieve the buyers’ goals.

As Dhillon pointed out, the database companies being acquired weren’t necessarily built to easily work with the rapidly-changing AI market. Plus, if the company with the best data wins the AI world, will it make sense for data and AI companies to be separate entities?

“I think a lot of the value is in merging the major AI players with the data management companies,” Hernandez said. “I don’t know that a standalone data management company is particularly incentivized to remain so and, kind of like, play a third party between enterprises and AI solutions.”

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Cyber can perform such tasks as penetration testing, vulnerability identification (and exploitation), and malware reverse engineering, the application implies. It’s intended to be a toolkit to help a company find security holes and test defenses. The fear is that the kit could be misused by the bad guys.

When Anthropic similarly restricted access to Mythos, Altman called the tactic fear-based marketing. Some critics also thought so, saying Anthropic’s rhetoric was overblown. Ironically, an unauthorized group reportedly managed to gain access to Mythos anyway.

OpenAI says it’s working to make Cyber more widely available by consulting with the U.S. government and identifying more users with legit cybersecurity credentials.

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 have made a strong mark by combining everything from rare peripherals to discounted digital game codes in one convenient space. With fierce competition driving prices lower and generous selection on offer, these platforms now rival traditional game shops, yet offer far more flexibility, whether it’s a late-night shopping urge or a flash sale on the latest blockbuster.

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The Big Draws: Price, Speed, and Selection

Why Savvy Gamers Are Embracing Digital Marketplaces for Gear and Games Waiting in line for a midnight game release or scrambling to find a sold-out gaming headset at your favorite electronics store feels far less appealing in a world where instant digital access is just a click away. Today’s gamers are done chasing physical stock and juggling dozens of store accounts. Instead, they’re seeking out a more streamlined, cost-effective way to buy gear and titles, often without ever leaving their chair. Digital marketplaces have exploded in popularity among gaming enthusiasts aiming to make every dollar and minute count. For those new to this shift, sites like Eneba.com have made a strong mark by combining everything from rare peripherals to discounted digital game codes in one convenient space. With fierce competition driving prices lower and generous selection on offer, these platforms now rival traditional game shops, yet offer far more flexibility, whether it’s a late-night shopping urge or a flash sale on the latest blockbuster. While there are plenty of options to buy digital games online, many in-the-know buyers gravitate toward platforms like Eneba for several reasons. Eneba stands out by offering instant access to game keys, which allow players to redeem titles directly on platforms such as PlayStation, with no disc or shipping required. This gives buyers more choice and frequently better prices than traditional platform stores, while an enormous catalog and up-front global or region-locked information make for transparent shopping. Plus, with verified sellers and robust marketplace controls, the risk of counterfeits drops markedly. Beyond game keys, Eneba also features gift cards for services like Xbox, PSN, and Steam, meaning players can top up accounts and snag games or content of their choice, skipping the hunt for specific game keys. The Big Draws: Price, Speed, and Selection Amanz/Unsplash What drives players to trust digital marketplaces over the tried and tested big-name stores? Savings are a major factor: prices for both hardware and digital game keys can dip well below official retailer listings. Flash sales or limited-time discounts mean buyers can seize deals at odd hours, no camping out, no extra fees for international shipping. But it’s not just the cost that wins people over. Instant access is non-negotiable for gamers who want a new release the second it drops, or need to replace a mic in time for tonight’s match. Digital codes and direct-to-home shipping let buyers skip wait times entirely. On top of that, curated stock and real-time availability mean less hunting around, which saves effort. Every moment not spent scrolling is one more minute playing. Security and Transparency Keep Gamers Loyal Skepticism around digital goods is only natural when you’re entering codes worth fifty or even a hundred dollars. Digital marketplaces have worked hard to build trust by publishing clear security guarantees, requiring third-party merchant verification, and setting strict standards for compliance and sourcing. Buyers know that when issues arise, support teams are ready to step in, a far cry from faceless classified ads or auction sites. Transparency is a dealbreaker for many. Region-locked codes? Out-of-stock hardware? Sites that label everything clearly and show purchase history on demand find it easier to retain picky shoppers. Gamers remember who wasted their time and who made the experience simple. Flexibility for Modern Gaming Lifestyles Physical games and hardware still have a place, but the digital approach caters to how gamers actually live and play. Swapping consoles with friends, jumping from PC to mobile, and redeeming codes while traveling all become easier with digital ownership. The global reach of digital marketplaces makes it possible to find rare or region-specific gear and content not available locally. With the cycle of new releases and old favorites never ending, staying ahead of the next hot thing is less stressful when your shopping list can be satisfied in one place. Digital marketplaces like Eneba, offering deals on all things digital, continue to reshape how players discover, buy, and enjoy what they love most. #Savvy #Gamers #Embracing #Digital #Marketplaces #Gear #GamesAndroid Gaming,console gaming,desktop gaming
Amanz/Unsplash

What drives players to trust digital marketplaces over the tried and tested big-name stores? Savings are a major factor: prices for both hardware and digital game keys can dip well below official retailer listings. Flash sales or limited-time discounts mean buyers can seize deals at odd hours, no camping out, no extra fees for international shipping.

But it’s not just the cost that wins people over. Instant access is non-negotiable for gamers who want a new release the second it drops, or need to replace a mic in time for tonight’s match. Digital codes and direct-to-home shipping let buyers skip wait times entirely. On top of that, curated stock and real-time availability mean less hunting around, which saves effort. Every moment not spent scrolling is one more minute playing.

Security and Transparency Keep Gamers Loyal

A son and dad gaming

Skepticism around digital goods is only natural when you’re entering codes worth fifty or even a hundred dollars. Digital marketplaces have worked hard to build trust by publishing clear security guarantees, requiring third-party merchant verification, and setting strict standards for compliance and sourcing. Buyers know that when issues arise, support teams are ready to step in, a far cry from faceless classified ads or auction sites.

Transparency is a dealbreaker for many. Region-locked codes? Out-of-stock hardware? Sites that label everything clearly and show purchase history on demand find it easier to retain picky shoppers. Gamers remember who wasted their time and who made the experience simple.

Flexibility for Modern Gaming Lifestyles

Physical games and hardware still have a place, but the digital approach caters to how gamers actually live and play. Swapping consoles with friends, jumping from PC to mobile, and redeeming codes while traveling all become easier with digital ownership. The global reach of digital marketplaces makes it possible to find rare or region-specific gear and content not available locally.

With the cycle of new releases and old favorites never ending, staying ahead of the next hot thing is less stressful when your shopping list can be satisfied in one place. Digital marketplaces like Eneba, offering deals on all things digital, continue to reshape how players discover, buy, and enjoy what they love most.

#Savvy #Gamers #Embracing #Digital #Marketplaces #Gear #GamesAndroid Gaming,console gaming,desktop gaming">Why Savvy Gamers Are Embracing Digital Marketplaces for Gear and Games

Waiting in line for a midnight game release or scrambling to find a sold-out gaming headset at your favorite electronics store feels far less appealing in a world where instant digital access is just a click away. Today’s gamers are done chasing physical stock and juggling dozens of store accounts. Instead, they’re seeking out a more streamlined, cost-effective way to buy gear and titles, often without ever leaving their chair.

Digital marketplaces have exploded in popularity among gaming enthusiasts aiming to make every dollar and minute count. For those new to this shift, sites like Eneba.com have made a strong mark by combining everything from rare peripherals to discounted digital game codes in one convenient space. With fierce competition driving prices lower and generous selection on offer, these platforms now rival traditional game shops, yet offer far more flexibility, whether it’s a late-night shopping urge or a flash sale on the latest blockbuster.

While there are plenty of options to buy digital games online, many in-the-know buyers gravitate toward platforms like Eneba for several reasons. Eneba stands out by offering instant access to game keys, which allow players to redeem titles directly on platforms such as PlayStation, with no disc or shipping required. This gives buyers more choice and frequently better prices than traditional platform stores, while an enormous catalog and up-front global or region-locked information make for transparent shopping. Plus, with verified sellers and robust marketplace controls, the risk of counterfeits drops markedly. Beyond game keys, Eneba also features gift cards for services like Xbox, PSN, and Steam, meaning players can top up accounts and snag games or content of their choice, skipping the hunt for specific game keys.

The Big Draws: Price, Speed, and Selection

Why Savvy Gamers Are Embracing Digital Marketplaces for Gear and Games Waiting in line for a midnight game release or scrambling to find a sold-out gaming headset at your favorite electronics store feels far less appealing in a world where instant digital access is just a click away. Today’s gamers are done chasing physical stock and juggling dozens of store accounts. Instead, they’re seeking out a more streamlined, cost-effective way to buy gear and titles, often without ever leaving their chair. Digital marketplaces have exploded in popularity among gaming enthusiasts aiming to make every dollar and minute count. For those new to this shift, sites like Eneba.com have made a strong mark by combining everything from rare peripherals to discounted digital game codes in one convenient space. With fierce competition driving prices lower and generous selection on offer, these platforms now rival traditional game shops, yet offer far more flexibility, whether it’s a late-night shopping urge or a flash sale on the latest blockbuster. While there are plenty of options to buy digital games online, many in-the-know buyers gravitate toward platforms like Eneba for several reasons. Eneba stands out by offering instant access to game keys, which allow players to redeem titles directly on platforms such as PlayStation, with no disc or shipping required. This gives buyers more choice and frequently better prices than traditional platform stores, while an enormous catalog and up-front global or region-locked information make for transparent shopping. Plus, with verified sellers and robust marketplace controls, the risk of counterfeits drops markedly. Beyond game keys, Eneba also features gift cards for services like Xbox, PSN, and Steam, meaning players can top up accounts and snag games or content of their choice, skipping the hunt for specific game keys. The Big Draws: Price, Speed, and Selection Amanz/Unsplash What drives players to trust digital marketplaces over the tried and tested big-name stores? Savings are a major factor: prices for both hardware and digital game keys can dip well below official retailer listings. Flash sales or limited-time discounts mean buyers can seize deals at odd hours, no camping out, no extra fees for international shipping. But it’s not just the cost that wins people over. Instant access is non-negotiable for gamers who want a new release the second it drops, or need to replace a mic in time for tonight’s match. Digital codes and direct-to-home shipping let buyers skip wait times entirely. On top of that, curated stock and real-time availability mean less hunting around, which saves effort. Every moment not spent scrolling is one more minute playing. Security and Transparency Keep Gamers Loyal Skepticism around digital goods is only natural when you’re entering codes worth fifty or even a hundred dollars. Digital marketplaces have worked hard to build trust by publishing clear security guarantees, requiring third-party merchant verification, and setting strict standards for compliance and sourcing. Buyers know that when issues arise, support teams are ready to step in, a far cry from faceless classified ads or auction sites. Transparency is a dealbreaker for many. Region-locked codes? Out-of-stock hardware? Sites that label everything clearly and show purchase history on demand find it easier to retain picky shoppers. Gamers remember who wasted their time and who made the experience simple. Flexibility for Modern Gaming Lifestyles Physical games and hardware still have a place, but the digital approach caters to how gamers actually live and play. Swapping consoles with friends, jumping from PC to mobile, and redeeming codes while traveling all become easier with digital ownership. The global reach of digital marketplaces makes it possible to find rare or region-specific gear and content not available locally. With the cycle of new releases and old favorites never ending, staying ahead of the next hot thing is less stressful when your shopping list can be satisfied in one place. Digital marketplaces like Eneba, offering deals on all things digital, continue to reshape how players discover, buy, and enjoy what they love most. #Savvy #Gamers #Embracing #Digital #Marketplaces #Gear #GamesAndroid Gaming,console gaming,desktop gaming
Amanz/Unsplash

What drives players to trust digital marketplaces over the tried and tested big-name stores? Savings are a major factor: prices for both hardware and digital game keys can dip well below official retailer listings. Flash sales or limited-time discounts mean buyers can seize deals at odd hours, no camping out, no extra fees for international shipping.

But it’s not just the cost that wins people over. Instant access is non-negotiable for gamers who want a new release the second it drops, or need to replace a mic in time for tonight’s match. Digital codes and direct-to-home shipping let buyers skip wait times entirely. On top of that, curated stock and real-time availability mean less hunting around, which saves effort. Every moment not spent scrolling is one more minute playing.

Security and Transparency Keep Gamers Loyal

A son and dad gaming

Skepticism around digital goods is only natural when you’re entering codes worth fifty or even a hundred dollars. Digital marketplaces have worked hard to build trust by publishing clear security guarantees, requiring third-party merchant verification, and setting strict standards for compliance and sourcing. Buyers know that when issues arise, support teams are ready to step in, a far cry from faceless classified ads or auction sites.

Transparency is a dealbreaker for many. Region-locked codes? Out-of-stock hardware? Sites that label everything clearly and show purchase history on demand find it easier to retain picky shoppers. Gamers remember who wasted their time and who made the experience simple.

Flexibility for Modern Gaming Lifestyles

Physical games and hardware still have a place, but the digital approach caters to how gamers actually live and play. Swapping consoles with friends, jumping from PC to mobile, and redeeming codes while traveling all become easier with digital ownership. The global reach of digital marketplaces makes it possible to find rare or region-specific gear and content not available locally.

With the cycle of new releases and old favorites never ending, staying ahead of the next hot thing is less stressful when your shopping list can be satisfied in one place. Digital marketplaces like Eneba, offering deals on all things digital, continue to reshape how players discover, buy, and enjoy what they love most.

#Savvy #Gamers #Embracing #Digital #Marketplaces #Gear #GamesAndroid Gaming,console gaming,desktop gaming

Wednesday was a big day for the tech industry with Meta, Google, Amazon and Microsoft all reporting earnings at the same time in the afternoon. Out of the four, though, Meta was the clear loser with its shares down more than 7% even though revenue increased 33% this past quarter, the company’s fastest since 2021.

It’s probably because the company upped its already outrageous spending expectations for the year. Meta said that 2026 capital expenditures would be at least $10 billion more than expected and could top $145 billion. While emphasizing his “confidence in this investment,” CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that most of this increase was due to “higher component costs, particularly memory pricing.”

The AI boom has led to an unprecedented data center buildout that has constrained the global memory chip supply and increased prices for these valuable chips. The result has been a global memory crisis that has impacted not only Meta and the rest of the AI industry but also caused the prices of consumer electronics like laptops and smartphones to soar.

Meta’s $145 billion is a dramatic increase from the $72 billion capital expenditure it recorded just last year, and Zuckerberg is betting it all on an AI turnaround effort.

Meta has been left behind in the AI race as industry rivals like Google have soared past. Roughly 10 months ago, Zuckerberg acknowledged the situation and announced a major catch-up effort that saw him commit billions upon billions of dollars to research and development, and to poach talent from all over the industry, including bringing in Scale AI’s founder Alexandr Wang to lead the new Meta Superintelligence Labs AI division.

Many have been reasonably nervous about this commitment, considering that the company’s latest big bet in emerging tech, the Metaverse, has flopped dramatically. In Wednesday’s earnings report, Meta said that the Reality Labs division, which had helmed the Metaverse efforts, notched an operating loss of more than $4 billion, while only cashing in $402 million in sales. That adds to the whopping $80 billion and more the division has lost in the past six years.

But experts are somewhat more hopeful about the AI bet because, earlier this month, the tech giant debuted the first fruits of that investment with the AI model Muse Spark, a proprietary model that the company plans to open-source in the future. It’s a step in the right direction, but Meta still has to do more before it can confidently say the catch-up effort is successful.

“This was the first release from Meta Superintelligence Labs, and it shows that our work is on track to build a leading lab,” Zuckerberg assured investors in the company’s earnings call. “Now that we have a strong model, we can develop more novel products as well.”

Those novel products will include two agents, one for personal and the other for business uses, according to Zuckerberg.

“We’re already testing an early version of business AIs and weekly conversations have grown 10x since the start of this year,” Zuckerberg said.

One way that AI is clearly showing up to benefit Meta is internally. Meta CFO Susan Li said that over half a billion users weekly on Facebook and Instagram each are now watching videos translated and dubbed by AI. The company is also incorporating the new AI model into parts of its core business, like ads, and particularly into its recommendation system. The goal is to have the AI hyper-personalize feeds for users.

“Since our recommendation systems are operating at such large scale, we’ll phase in this new research and technology over time,” Zuckerberg said. “But the trend over the last few years seems clear that we are seeing an increasing return on the amount that we can improve engagement for people and value for advertisers.”

AI is also taking over internally at Meta. The company is laying off 10% of its workforce and reportedly offering voluntary buyouts to 7% of its U.S. staff, in what seems to follow a purportedly AI-driven trend that has taken Silicon Valley by storm.

On the call, executives wouldn’t say if the layoffs had to do with automation of jobs, but Li did say that a “leaner operating model” would help “offset the substantial investments we’re making.”

#Meta #Spend #Billion #Year #DueArtificial intelligence,Mark Zuckerberg,Meta">Meta Could Spend 5 Billion This Year Due to AI Wednesday was a big day for the tech industry with Meta, Google, Amazon and Microsoft all reporting earnings at the same time in the afternoon. Out of the four, though, Meta was the clear loser with its shares down more than 7% even though revenue increased 33% this past quarter, the company’s fastest since 2021. It’s probably because the company upped its already outrageous spending expectations for the year. Meta said that 2026 capital expenditures would be at least billion more than expected and could top 5 billion. While emphasizing his “confidence in this investment,” CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that most of this increase was due to “higher component costs, particularly memory pricing.” The AI boom has led to an unprecedented data center buildout that has constrained the global memory chip supply and increased prices for these valuable chips. The result has been a global memory crisis that has impacted not only Meta and the rest of the AI industry but also caused the prices of consumer electronics like laptops and smartphones to soar. Meta’s 5 billion is a dramatic increase from the billion capital expenditure it recorded just last year, and Zuckerberg is betting it all on an AI turnaround effort. Meta has been left behind in the AI race as industry rivals like Google have soared past. Roughly 10 months ago, Zuckerberg acknowledged the situation and announced a major catch-up effort that saw him commit billions upon billions of dollars to research and development, and to poach talent from all over the industry, including bringing in Scale AI’s founder Alexandr Wang to lead the new Meta Superintelligence Labs AI division. Many have been reasonably nervous about this commitment, considering that the company’s latest big bet in emerging tech, the Metaverse, has flopped dramatically. In Wednesday’s earnings report, Meta said that the Reality Labs division, which had helmed the Metaverse efforts, notched an operating loss of more than billion, while only cashing in 2 million in sales. That adds to the whopping billion and more the division has lost in the past six years. But experts are somewhat more hopeful about the AI bet because, earlier this month, the tech giant debuted the first fruits of that investment with the AI model Muse Spark, a proprietary model that the company plans to open-source in the future. It’s a step in the right direction, but Meta still has to do more before it can confidently say the catch-up effort is successful. “This was the first release from Meta Superintelligence Labs, and it shows that our work is on track to build a leading lab,” Zuckerberg assured investors in the company’s earnings call. “Now that we have a strong model, we can develop more novel products as well.” Those novel products will include two agents, one for personal and the other for business uses, according to Zuckerberg. “We’re already testing an early version of business AIs and weekly conversations have grown 10x since the start of this year,” Zuckerberg said. One way that AI is clearly showing up to benefit Meta is internally. Meta CFO Susan Li said that over half a billion users weekly on Facebook and Instagram each are now watching videos translated and dubbed by AI. The company is also incorporating the new AI model into parts of its core business, like ads, and particularly into its recommendation system. The goal is to have the AI hyper-personalize feeds for users. “Since our recommendation systems are operating at such large scale, we’ll phase in this new research and technology over time,” Zuckerberg said. “But the trend over the last few years seems clear that we are seeing an increasing return on the amount that we can improve engagement for people and value for advertisers.” AI is also taking over internally at Meta. The company is laying off 10% of its workforce and reportedly offering voluntary buyouts to 7% of its U.S. staff, in what seems to follow a purportedly AI-driven trend that has taken Silicon Valley by storm. On the call, executives wouldn’t say if the layoffs had to do with automation of jobs, but Li did say that a “leaner operating model” would help “offset the substantial investments we’re making.” #Meta #Spend #Billion #Year #DueArtificial intelligence,Mark Zuckerberg,Meta

fastest since 2021.

It’s probably because the company upped its already outrageous spending expectations for the year. Meta said that 2026 capital expenditures would be at least $10 billion more than expected and could top $145 billion. While emphasizing his “confidence in this investment,” CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that most of this increase was due to “higher component costs, particularly memory pricing.”

The AI boom has led to an unprecedented data center buildout that has constrained the global memory chip supply and increased prices for these valuable chips. The result has been a global memory crisis that has impacted not only Meta and the rest of the AI industry but also caused the prices of consumer electronics like laptops and smartphones to soar.

Meta’s $145 billion is a dramatic increase from the $72 billion capital expenditure it recorded just last year, and Zuckerberg is betting it all on an AI turnaround effort.

Meta has been left behind in the AI race as industry rivals like Google have soared past. Roughly 10 months ago, Zuckerberg acknowledged the situation and announced a major catch-up effort that saw him commit billions upon billions of dollars to research and development, and to poach talent from all over the industry, including bringing in Scale AI’s founder Alexandr Wang to lead the new Meta Superintelligence Labs AI division.

Many have been reasonably nervous about this commitment, considering that the company’s latest big bet in emerging tech, the Metaverse, has flopped dramatically. In Wednesday’s earnings report, Meta said that the Reality Labs division, which had helmed the Metaverse efforts, notched an operating loss of more than $4 billion, while only cashing in $402 million in sales. That adds to the whopping $80 billion and more the division has lost in the past six years.

But experts are somewhat more hopeful about the AI bet because, earlier this month, the tech giant debuted the first fruits of that investment with the AI model Muse Spark, a proprietary model that the company plans to open-source in the future. It’s a step in the right direction, but Meta still has to do more before it can confidently say the catch-up effort is successful.

“This was the first release from Meta Superintelligence Labs, and it shows that our work is on track to build a leading lab,” Zuckerberg assured investors in the company’s earnings call. “Now that we have a strong model, we can develop more novel products as well.”

Those novel products will include two agents, one for personal and the other for business uses, according to Zuckerberg.

“We’re already testing an early version of business AIs and weekly conversations have grown 10x since the start of this year,” Zuckerberg said.

One way that AI is clearly showing up to benefit Meta is internally. Meta CFO Susan Li said that over half a billion users weekly on Facebook and Instagram each are now watching videos translated and dubbed by AI. The company is also incorporating the new AI model into parts of its core business, like ads, and particularly into its recommendation system. The goal is to have the AI hyper-personalize feeds for users.

“Since our recommendation systems are operating at such large scale, we’ll phase in this new research and technology over time,” Zuckerberg said. “But the trend over the last few years seems clear that we are seeing an increasing return on the amount that we can improve engagement for people and value for advertisers.”

AI is also taking over internally at Meta. The company is laying off 10% of its workforce and reportedly offering voluntary buyouts to 7% of its U.S. staff, in what seems to follow a purportedly AI-driven trend that has taken Silicon Valley by storm.

On the call, executives wouldn’t say if the layoffs had to do with automation of jobs, but Li did say that a “leaner operating model” would help “offset the substantial investments we’re making.”

#Meta #Spend #Billion #Year #DueArtificial intelligence,Mark Zuckerberg,Meta">Meta Could Spend $145 Billion This Year Due to AIMeta Could Spend $145 Billion This Year Due to AI Wednesday was a big day for the tech industry with Meta, Google, Amazon and Microsoft all reporting earnings at the same time in the afternoon. Out of the four, though, Meta was the clear loser with its shares down more than 7% even though revenue increased 33% this past quarter, the company’s fastest since 2021. It’s probably because the company upped its already outrageous spending expectations for the year. Meta said that 2026 capital expenditures would be at least $10 billion more than expected and could top $145 billion. While emphasizing his “confidence in this investment,” CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that most of this increase was due to “higher component costs, particularly memory pricing.” The AI boom has led to an unprecedented data center buildout that has constrained the global memory chip supply and increased prices for these valuable chips. The result has been a global memory crisis that has impacted not only Meta and the rest of the AI industry but also caused the prices of consumer electronics like laptops and smartphones to soar. Meta’s $145 billion is a dramatic increase from the $72 billion capital expenditure it recorded just last year, and Zuckerberg is betting it all on an AI turnaround effort. Meta has been left behind in the AI race as industry rivals like Google have soared past. Roughly 10 months ago, Zuckerberg acknowledged the situation and announced a major catch-up effort that saw him commit billions upon billions of dollars to research and development, and to poach talent from all over the industry, including bringing in Scale AI’s founder Alexandr Wang to lead the new Meta Superintelligence Labs AI division. Many have been reasonably nervous about this commitment, considering that the company’s latest big bet in emerging tech, the Metaverse, has flopped dramatically. In Wednesday’s earnings report, Meta said that the Reality Labs division, which had helmed the Metaverse efforts, notched an operating loss of more than $4 billion, while only cashing in $402 million in sales. That adds to the whopping $80 billion and more the division has lost in the past six years. But experts are somewhat more hopeful about the AI bet because, earlier this month, the tech giant debuted the first fruits of that investment with the AI model Muse Spark, a proprietary model that the company plans to open-source in the future. It’s a step in the right direction, but Meta still has to do more before it can confidently say the catch-up effort is successful. “This was the first release from Meta Superintelligence Labs, and it shows that our work is on track to build a leading lab,” Zuckerberg assured investors in the company’s earnings call. “Now that we have a strong model, we can develop more novel products as well.” Those novel products will include two agents, one for personal and the other for business uses, according to Zuckerberg. “We’re already testing an early version of business AIs and weekly conversations have grown 10x since the start of this year,” Zuckerberg said. One way that AI is clearly showing up to benefit Meta is internally. Meta CFO Susan Li said that over half a billion users weekly on Facebook and Instagram each are now watching videos translated and dubbed by AI. The company is also incorporating the new AI model into parts of its core business, like ads, and particularly into its recommendation system. The goal is to have the AI hyper-personalize feeds for users. “Since our recommendation systems are operating at such large scale, we’ll phase in this new research and technology over time,” Zuckerberg said. “But the trend over the last few years seems clear that we are seeing an increasing return on the amount that we can improve engagement for people and value for advertisers.” AI is also taking over internally at Meta. The company is laying off 10% of its workforce and reportedly offering voluntary buyouts to 7% of its U.S. staff, in what seems to follow a purportedly AI-driven trend that has taken Silicon Valley by storm. On the call, executives wouldn’t say if the layoffs had to do with automation of jobs, but Li did say that a “leaner operating model” would help “offset the substantial investments we’re making.” #Meta #Spend #Billion #Year #DueArtificial intelligence,Mark Zuckerberg,Meta

Wednesday was a big day for the tech industry with Meta, Google, Amazon and Microsoft all reporting earnings at the same time in the afternoon. Out of the four, though, Meta was the clear loser with its shares down more than 7% even though revenue increased 33% this past quarter, the company’s fastest since 2021.

It’s probably because the company upped its already outrageous spending expectations for the year. Meta said that 2026 capital expenditures would be at least $10 billion more than expected and could top $145 billion. While emphasizing his “confidence in this investment,” CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that most of this increase was due to “higher component costs, particularly memory pricing.”

The AI boom has led to an unprecedented data center buildout that has constrained the global memory chip supply and increased prices for these valuable chips. The result has been a global memory crisis that has impacted not only Meta and the rest of the AI industry but also caused the prices of consumer electronics like laptops and smartphones to soar.

Meta’s $145 billion is a dramatic increase from the $72 billion capital expenditure it recorded just last year, and Zuckerberg is betting it all on an AI turnaround effort.

Meta has been left behind in the AI race as industry rivals like Google have soared past. Roughly 10 months ago, Zuckerberg acknowledged the situation and announced a major catch-up effort that saw him commit billions upon billions of dollars to research and development, and to poach talent from all over the industry, including bringing in Scale AI’s founder Alexandr Wang to lead the new Meta Superintelligence Labs AI division.

Many have been reasonably nervous about this commitment, considering that the company’s latest big bet in emerging tech, the Metaverse, has flopped dramatically. In Wednesday’s earnings report, Meta said that the Reality Labs division, which had helmed the Metaverse efforts, notched an operating loss of more than $4 billion, while only cashing in $402 million in sales. That adds to the whopping $80 billion and more the division has lost in the past six years.

But experts are somewhat more hopeful about the AI bet because, earlier this month, the tech giant debuted the first fruits of that investment with the AI model Muse Spark, a proprietary model that the company plans to open-source in the future. It’s a step in the right direction, but Meta still has to do more before it can confidently say the catch-up effort is successful.

“This was the first release from Meta Superintelligence Labs, and it shows that our work is on track to build a leading lab,” Zuckerberg assured investors in the company’s earnings call. “Now that we have a strong model, we can develop more novel products as well.”

Those novel products will include two agents, one for personal and the other for business uses, according to Zuckerberg.

“We’re already testing an early version of business AIs and weekly conversations have grown 10x since the start of this year,” Zuckerberg said.

One way that AI is clearly showing up to benefit Meta is internally. Meta CFO Susan Li said that over half a billion users weekly on Facebook and Instagram each are now watching videos translated and dubbed by AI. The company is also incorporating the new AI model into parts of its core business, like ads, and particularly into its recommendation system. The goal is to have the AI hyper-personalize feeds for users.

“Since our recommendation systems are operating at such large scale, we’ll phase in this new research and technology over time,” Zuckerberg said. “But the trend over the last few years seems clear that we are seeing an increasing return on the amount that we can improve engagement for people and value for advertisers.”

AI is also taking over internally at Meta. The company is laying off 10% of its workforce and reportedly offering voluntary buyouts to 7% of its U.S. staff, in what seems to follow a purportedly AI-driven trend that has taken Silicon Valley by storm.

On the call, executives wouldn’t say if the layoffs had to do with automation of jobs, but Li did say that a “leaner operating model” would help “offset the substantial investments we’re making.”

#Meta #Spend #Billion #Year #DueArtificial intelligence,Mark Zuckerberg,Meta

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