In a surprising move, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has shifted his attention away from the Metaverse and set his sights on artificial intelligence (AI). The tech mogul unveiled his ambitious plan through an Instagram post, outlining a substantial investment in AI chips and the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI). This unexpected pivot signifies a major strategic shift for the social media giant, now known as Meta.
Massive investment in AI chips
Zuckerberg’s plan entails a significant financial commitment, with Meta gearing up to acquire a staggering 350,000 of Nvidia’s high-end AI chips. These chips, notably expensive, play a pivotal role in powering large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. Each Nvidia H100 chip carries a hefty price tag of approximately $30,000. Consequently, Meta’s procurement of these chips may translate into an expenditure exceeding $10.5 billion.
But the expenditure doesn’t stop there. In addition to the 350,000 Nvidia H100s, Zuckerberg also aims to obtain nearly 600,000 H100 equivalents, further amplifying the financial magnitude of this endeavor.
A push towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
Rather than merely chasing after the next ChatGPT-like language model, Mark Zuckerberg has set his sights on a loftier goal – the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI). AGI represents a concept often discussed among Silicon Valley’s elite, signifying the hypothetical point where AI achieves human-level intelligence. While not everyone in the field is convinced that current AI technology can reach this level, Meta’s commitment to this vision positions the company as a significant player in the race for AGI, potentially overtaking rivals like OpenAI.
In a video message, Zuckerberg expressed his long-term vision to “build general intelligence, open-source it responsibly, and make it widely available so everyone can benefit.” This vision diverges from OpenAI’s AGI plans, which emphasize benefiting humanity but do not explicitly mention open-sourcing the technology.
AI-enhanced virtual reality glasses
Despite his pivot towards AI, Zuckerberg has not abandoned the Metaverse entirely. He revealed plans to introduce AI-enhanced virtual reality glasses. In his words, “glasses are the ideal form factor for letting an AI see what you see.” This announcement suggests a continued interest in merging AI with immersive virtual experiences, even as Meta shifts its strategic focus.
A year of bold moves for Mark Zuckerberg
After enduring a staggering loss of $46.5 billion associated with the Metaverse, Zuckerberg’s decisive pivot towards AI demonstrates his determination to stay at the forefront of technology. This shift reflects a desire to make substantial strides in the coming year, while also keeping an eye on the development of metaverse glasses.
Mark Zuckerberg’s unexpected shift from the Metaverse to artificial intelligence signifies a significant change in direction for Meta. With billions of dollars set to be invested in high-end AI chips and the pursuit of artificial general intelligence, Zuckerberg’s vision positions Meta as a formidable player in the AI landscape. While the company is not entirely abandoning the Metaverse, it is clear that the focus has shifted, and investors will be watching closely to see if this new strategy pays off.
