Meta is making its boldest move yet in the race for artificial intelligence. Mark Zuckerberg’s company has signed a $10 billion-plus contract with Google Cloud, securing access to its powerful servers and infrastructure over the next six years. It’s one of the largest deals in Google Cloud’s 17-year history, underscoring how much muscle is needed to chase what Zuckerberg calls “superintelligence.”
But money alone isn’t enough. Meta is also raiding rivals for top AI talent, luring researchers and executives from OpenAI, Apple, Google, and Anthropic with hefty paychecks and promises of a grand vision. The goal? Build what Zuckerberg describes as the most elite, talent-packed AI team in the industry — one armed with unmatched computing power.
The timing matters. Giants like OpenAI and Google are already ahead, and Meta can’t afford to lag further. Training large generative AI models demands not only brilliant minds but also rivers of electricity and mountains of advanced chips. To catch up, Meta plans to assemble data networks consuming gigawatts of power.
Meanwhile, Google Cloud, trailing Amazon and Microsoft in the market, is celebrating. Its revenue jumped 32% last quarter, fueled by an AI gold rush where nearly every unicorn startup leans on its infrastructure.
5 Practical Impacts
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More competition could speed up breakthroughs in AI tools.
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Cloud services may become even more central to everyday apps.
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Tech talent wars could drive salaries higher.
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Energy demand for AI will pressure global power grids.
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Regulators may step up scrutiny over data and monopolies.
The race toward superintelligence isn’t slowing down. If anything, it’s heating up. Staying informed now means understanding not just where AI is going — but how it might reshape the economy, jobs, and daily life.
Source: boursorama