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Dear Readers,
What happens when a formerly neutral infrastructure provider suddenly becomes a weapon in the AI power struggle? Meta's acquisition of almost 50% of Scale AI for USD 14.3 billion has triggered exactly that - a tectonic quake in the world of artificial intelligence. Scale used to be the Switzerland of data service providers: neutral, reliable, used by all the big players. All of a sudden, that's over. The fact that Scale founder Alexandr Wang is moving directly to Meta's Superintelligence team underlines the fact that this was no ordinary deal, but a geopolitical coup in Silicon Valley. The immediate reaction of the competition - the withdrawal of OpenAI, Google, Microsoft and xAI - makes it clear that a red line has been crossed here. Data is the strategic resource of the future. Whoever controls it controls the development of AGI.
In Today’s Issue:
Meta's $14.3B deal for Scale AI is shaking up the entire industry
A major study reveals your lifestyle is the biggest key to a long and healthy life
A scrappy startup became the billion-dollar backbone of American AI
Competitors are ditching Scale AI after its massive investment from Meta
And more AI goodness…
All the best,
Meta x Scale
The TLDR
Meta has invested $14.3 billion for a near-half stake in data-labeling firm Scale AI and hired its founder, Alexandr Wang, to lead a new superintelligence team. This move has shattered Scale AI's position as a neutral service provider, prompting major competitors like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft to withdraw their business over fears that their sensitive data could be exposed to Meta.
Meta is entering the heart of the AI infrastructure with a vengeance: With an investment of 14.3 billion US dollars for almost half of Scale AI, the company is sending out a clear signal. Scale, previously known as a neutral service provider for data annotation and model validation, is thus effectively becoming Meta's exclusive AI supplier. And as if that wasn't explosive enough, Scale founder Alexandr Wang is leaving his position as CEO to join Meta's superintelligence team. Jason Droege takes over for the time being, emphasizing in an open letter that Scale will remain independent.
But the reactions are not long in coming: OpenAI, Google, Microsoft and Elon Musk's xAI promptly withdraw. The accusation: if you belong to Meta, you can no longer be neutral - especially when it comes to the most sensitive raw material of AI: data.
Why it matters: This deal fundamentally shifts the balance of power in the AI infrastructure. Access to high-quality data is a strategic asset - and Meta is thus securing a decisive advantage in the race for superintelligence.
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In The News
Record mode is rolling out today in ChatGPT to Pro, Enterprise, and Edu users.
Available on macOS desktop app.
— #OpenAI (#@OpenAI)
7:28 PM • Jun 18, 2025
Your Lifestyle, Not Your Genes, Is the Key to a Long Life
A recent study in Nature Medicine reveals that environmental and lifestyle factors are the most significant predictors of a long and healthy life. Factors such as income, daily habits, housing, and social relationships have a much greater impact on longevity and healthy aging than genetic predisposition alone.
The Rise of Scale AI
Alexandr Wang started Scale AI to solve a simple problem: turning messy, real-world data into something AI could learn from. That early idea evolved from a small startup into a multi-hundred-million-dollar engine powering America's AI infrastructure, which was recently validated by a staggering $14 billion investment from Meta.
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Big tech pushes for 10-year federal ban on AI regulation
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“Sovereign AI” - Europe's path to technological independence
Nvidia CEO Huang promotes Europe's digital sovereignty with his “Sovereign AI” concept. EU countries such as Germany, France and the UK are investing in their own AI infrastructure - not only for security, but also as a counterbalance to US dominance. This de-dependence marks a geopolitical power play: Europe's technopolitical awakening could lead to an increase in global influence.
California warns: “Irreversible damage” from AI uncontrol
The report by Governor Newsom and Fei-Fei Li warns of AI risks - from strategic deception to biothreats. It calls for transparency, whistleblower rights and a government audit regime instead of voluntary industry self-regulation. This model could become a blueprint for national and international regulations - a paradigm shift away from US industry dominance towards human-centered standards.
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