Meta to Announce $15 Billion Investment in Bid for Computerised ‘Superintelligence’

Meta announces a $15 billion investment to achieve superintelligence, marked by a strategic purchase of a stake in Scale AI. Amidst a highly competitive AI landscape, this move signals a shift to reclaim dominance after setbacks in other ventures. Experts highlight the need for a transparent and collaborative approach in AI research.

Meta is gearing up to announce a staggering $15 billion investment aimed at capturing what’s being called ‘superintelligence’. This news comes amidst the rush in Silicon Valley to assert dominance in the artificial intelligence sector, despite many current systems struggling to meet expectations in real-world applications. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to confirm the purchase of a 49% stake in Scale AI, a start-up led by Alexandr Wang and co-founded by Lucy Guo. One analyst describes the move as characteristic of ‘a wartime CEO.’

Superintelligence refers to an AI that can outpace human capability across all tasks. Right now, mainstream AI isn’t achieving what experts call artificial general intelligence (AGI), which means it can’t perform at human levels in every capacity. Several studies have revealed that many existing AI systems actually falter when faced with complex challenges. Meta’s ambition to exceed such limitations is viewed strategically; observers suggest it’s a bid to reclaim ground lost to competitors like OpenAI and Google, especially after Meta’s substantial investment in the Metaverse failed to generate expected results.

Back in March, Wang signed a deal with the U.S. Department of Defense for a project named Thunderforge, designed to leverage AI for military planning across various commands, beginning with operations in the Indo-Pacific and Europe. Scale AI has also garnered early support from Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, further underlining its potential value in the emerging AI landscape.

This bold initiative by Meta has kindled discussions in Europe about the need for collaborative and transparent AI research. Experts are echoing calls for the establishment of an AI equivalent of CERN — a governing body to oversee AI research and development in a manner that garners public trust. Michael Wooldridge, a professor at the University of Oxford, has pointed out that there’s a pressing argument for such a collaborative framework, stressing that the complexity and implications of AI warrant cooperative efforts over secrecy.

He added, “This deal seems like an attempt by Meta to regain lost ground after the Metaverse failed to take off. They’ve poured a ridiculous amount of resources into that initiative, only to find it ridiculed.” Wooldridge is cautious, however, noting the uneven landscape of AI development. He remarked that while there are impressive AI capabilities, they still falter at basic tasks — something even a high-school student would nail.

Meanwhile, Dr. Andrew Rogoyski from the Institute for People-Centred AI laments the trend of tech firms snatching up AI talent, suggesting it forces a talent drain from universities and smaller entities alike. He pointed out that Meta’s approach differs from that of OpenAI or Anthropic in that AI serves more as a tool for Meta’s business objectives than a primary end in itself. This allows for a more measured strategy towards AGI development.

Reports indicate that Wang is set to take a senior role at Meta, although the details are still under wraps. Meta has refrained from commenting on the investment, and attempts to reach Scale AI for insights are ongoing.

Meta’s announcement of its $15 billion investment in pursuit of ‘superintelligence’ marks a bold step in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. This move, set against the backdrop of past failures with the Metaverse, signals a significant shift in strategy as Meta seeks to regain its competitive edge over rivals like OpenAI. However, the need for transparency and collaboration in AI development is becoming increasingly necessary, underscored by calls from experts for a central governing body akin to CERN. While the ambitions are lofty, the journey toward AGI and beyond is still fraught with challenges.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com