Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is planning a massive investment of up to $135 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) for 2026. This is almost double what the company spent on AI and technology last year, signaling a major push to develop advanced AI systems and infrastructure.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg called 2026 a “pivotal year” for AI, noting that the technology will reshape how Meta operates and interacts with users. The company plans to expand its data centers, buy cutting-edge chips, and hire top AI engineers, aiming to compete with rivals like Google and OpenAI.
Meta’s increased spending follows strong financial results in the fourth quarter of 2025, with revenue reaching nearly $60 billion. The company says its advertising revenue provides the resources needed for this ambitious AI expansion while keeping core business growth steady.
A key part of Meta’s AI strategy is talent acquisition. In 2025, the company hired Alexandr Wang, founder of AI data-labeling firm Scale AI, to lead the newly formed Meta Superintelligence Labs. Wang’s team will focus on developing next-generation AI systems capable of performing complex tasks and advancing Meta’s AI capabilities to match or exceed industry leaders.
Alongside AI, Meta is scaling down its virtual reality and metaverse projects, including some staff cuts, to concentrate more resources on AI and AI-powered devices, such as smart glasses and other wearables.
By nearly doubling its capital expenditure for 2026, Meta is signaling a strategic shift toward AI, aiming to position itself at the forefront of the fast-growing AI sector. With investments in technology, talent, and infrastructure, the company is preparing for intense competition with other tech giants, while redefining its long-term focus from the metaverse to artificial intelligence.
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