'Zuckerberg Wants a Godlike AI': Meta's Race Toward Superintelligence Could Redefine Humanity's Future and Trigger a Tech Power Shift
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 Mark Zuckerberg is shifting from the metaverse to an ambitious pursuit of superintelligent AI , investing billions to surpass human cognition.
, investing billions to surpass human cognition. 💼 Meta collaborates with Alexandr Wang's Scale AI, investing $14 billion and offering lucrative salaries to attract top researchers.
⚠️ The pursuit of superintelligence is controversial, with debates on ethical implications and existential risks.
is controversial, with debates on ethical implications and existential risks. 🔧 Meta is reorganizing its AI division to address internal challenges and strengthen its position as a global leader in AI innovation.
Mark Zuckerberg continues his relentless pursuit of groundbreaking technological advancements, shifting focus from the metaverse to the ambitious realm of superintelligent AI. Despite the metaverse's lackluster results and staggering costs, Zuckerberg is determined to push boundaries once again, investing billions of dollars into this new venture. This strategic pivot represents Meta's unwavering commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation, aiming to surpass human cognitive capabilities with AI. The Ambitious Quest for Superintelligent AI
Meta's endeavor to develop superintelligent AI marks a bold step forward in the tech industry. Unlike existing AI systems, which are yet to achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) – the ability to match human intelligence – Meta aspires to transcend these boundaries. The company has established a dedicated lab to spearhead this mission, with the ambitious goal of creating AI that far exceeds human cognitive abilities.
Central to this initiative is the collaboration with Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old founder and CEO of Scale AI. Meta's substantial investment of $14 billion to acquire a 49% stake in this startup underscores the seriousness of their commitment. Moreover, the company is reportedly offering substantial salaries ranging from seven to nine figures to attract top researchers from industry giants like OpenAI and Google. This aggressive recruitment strategy highlights Meta's determination to assemble a team capable of realizing its audacious vision.
'China's Bold Plan Unveiled': A Deep-Sea Space Station 6560 Feet Underwater Set to Revolutionize Marine Exploration by 2030 The Historical Context of Meta's AI Ambitions
Meta's interest in AI is not a recent development. The company established its first AI lab in 2013, following an unsuccessful attempt to acquire DeepMind, which was later secured by Google. Despite skepticism from some quarters, including Meta's Chief Scientist Yann LeCun, who was unimpressed by OpenAI's ChatGPT, the tech world has seen a surge in interest and investment in AI, AGI, and now, superintelligence.
This historical backdrop provides insights into Meta's current pursuits, illustrating a pattern of consistent investment in AI technologies. While the concept of superintelligence remains contentious, with some dismissing it as science fiction, the financial and intellectual resources being funneled into this area are undeniably substantial.
'Mosquitoes Outwit Human Defenses': Scientists Uncover How These Insects Evade Traps and Survive Our Cleverest Tricks Controversies and Challenges in Pursuing Superintelligence
The notion of developing an AI system more intelligent than humans is not without its controversies. Critics argue that the pursuit of superintelligence diverts attention from pressing issues associated with current AI technologies, such as biases, surveillance, and environmental impact. The idea of a superintelligent AI also raises concerns about existential risks, where a powerful AI could potentially operate beyond human control – echoing fears reminiscent of science fiction scenarios like Skynet.
Despite these concerns, the drive to achieve superintelligence persists, fueled by the potential benefits and competitive edge it promises. The debate surrounding these technologies underscores the importance of ethical and regulatory considerations as the field advances.
'Einstein Would Lose His Mind': Scientists Uncover Ultimate Power Limit That Could Finally Fuse Relativity with Quantum Mechanics Meta's Strategic Reorganization and Future Prospects
In light of internal challenges and the lackluster performance of recent products like Llama and Meta AI, Meta has embarked on a strategic reorganization of its AI division. This move is part of a broader effort to reestablish the company as a global leader in AI innovation. However, navigating the current political and regulatory landscape in the United States presents additional hurdles.
With heightened scrutiny from regulators, Meta must tread carefully, avoiding aggressive acquisitions of AI startups. Instead, the company is focused on strengthening its internal capabilities and fostering innovation within its existing structure. This strategic pivot aims to position Meta at the forefront of AI advancements, while also addressing internal and external challenges.
As Meta forges ahead in its quest for superintelligent AI, the technological and ethical implications of such advancements remain a topic of intense debate. With significant resources and talent directed toward this ambitious goal, the question arises: Can Meta successfully navigate the complex landscape of AI innovation and regulation to achieve its vision of superintelligence?
Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article.
Did you like it? 4.5/5 (20)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sustainability Times
9 hours ago
- Sustainability Times
'Laser-Powered Weapons Are Here': U.S. Military Abandons Cables in Radical Shift That Could Revolutionize Battlefield Tech Forever
IN A NUTSHELL 🔋 DARPA successfully transmitted over 800 watts of power using a laser beam across 5.3 miles . successfully transmitted over of power using a laser beam across . ✈️ The technology enables drones to fly indefinitely, powered continuously by ground-based laser stations . . ⚡ Current efficiency is 20% over short distances, but improvements aim to double or triple this rate. over short distances, but improvements aim to double or triple this rate. 🌍 Potential applications extend beyond the military, offering sustainable energy solutions for remote and civilian areas. In a groundbreaking advancement in military technology, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has achieved a remarkable feat: powering equipment remotely using laser beams. This innovation promises to revolutionize the battlefield by eliminating the need for cumbersome cables and constant refueling. Imagine drones flying indefinitely, powered continuously by ground-based laser stations. This reality is no longer a distant dream, but a tangible prospect thanks to DARPA's successful tests in New Mexico. The Revolutionary Technology Behind Laser Power DARPA has demonstrated the capability to transmit over 800 watts of power across a distance of 5.3 miles using a laser beam. This amount of power is sufficient to run a small refrigerator or the entire electronic setup of an RV. The energy was transmitted through the air for a duration of 30 seconds without any physical medium. This technological breakthrough significantly surpasses previous records, which managed only 230 watts over just 1 mile. The tested system, named PRAD, employs a compact receiver developed by Teravec Technologies. The laser beam is directed at a specially designed aperture, reflects off a parabolic mirror inside, and strikes dozens of photovoltaic cells. These cells efficiently convert the light into electricity, with minimal energy loss during transmission. This innovation opens up a realm of possibilities for military logistics by removing the dependency on fuel convoys and noisy generators, which are susceptible to enemy detection. 'Hydrogen Just Got 20% Cheaper': Groundbreaking Ultra-Thin Membrane Ignites Clean Energy Race With Massive Global Implications Implications for Military Applications The potential applications of this technology in military operations are profound. By eliminating the need for fuel and cumbersome power cables, military equipment can operate with greater flexibility and stealth. This innovation could lead to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that remain airborne indefinitely, receiving continuous power supply from laser stations on the ground. It reduces the logistical burden of transporting fuel to remote locations, thereby minimizing the risk of exposure to adversaries. Furthermore, the deployment of laser-powered systems could significantly enhance operational efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of military activities. The ability to power equipment remotely and wirelessly transforms how military forces can be deployed and maintained in the field. This technology represents a strategic advantage by ensuring sustained operations without the interruption of refueling or recharging cycles. 'I Built a Laser from Hell': YouTuber Unleashes World's Strongest Handheld Beam That Instantly Melts Metal and Ignites Anything Challenges and Future Developments Despite the promising advancements, there are challenges to address before widespread implementation. Currently, only 20% of the laser energy is converted into usable electricity over short distances, with even lower efficiency over 5.3 miles. However, DARPA is optimistic about improving these figures. The agency plans to develop specialized photovoltaic cells that could potentially double or triple the conversion efficiency. The next phase of the program aims to test vertical transmissions and relay systems to establish a comprehensive wireless energy distribution network. This would entail creating a network of laser stations capable of providing uninterrupted power to military operations, regardless of geographical constraints. DARPA's ongoing research and development efforts are focused on overcoming the technical limitations and optimizing the system for real-world applications. 'We Are Redefining Electric Power': Chinese EV Stuns With 830-Mile Range and Ultra-Fast 12-Minute Charging Revolution Broader Implications and Future Possibilities The implications of this technology extend beyond military applications. The ability to transmit power wirelessly over long distances could revolutionize energy distribution in civilian sectors. This could lead to innovations in powering remote areas, reducing the reliance on traditional power grids, and enhancing disaster response capabilities. Moreover, this technology aligns with global efforts to transition towards more sustainable energy solutions. By reducing dependency on fossil fuels and enabling efficient energy transmission, laser power technology could contribute significantly to environmental conservation efforts. As DARPA continues to refine and expand this technology, it invites the question: How will society adapt to and integrate these advancements into everyday life? As DARPA pushes the boundaries of what's possible with laser power technology, the world watches with keen interest. With the potential to transform not only military operations but also civilian energy distribution, this innovation could have far-reaching impacts. As we consider the possible applications and implications, we are left to ponder: What other areas of life could this technology revolutionize in the coming years? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (21)
Sustainability Times
18 hours ago
- Sustainability Times
'Zuckerberg Wants a Godlike AI': Meta's Race Toward Superintelligence Could Redefine Humanity's Future and Trigger a Tech Power Shift
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 Mark Zuckerberg is shifting from the metaverse to an ambitious pursuit of superintelligent AI , investing billions to surpass human cognition. , investing billions to surpass human cognition. 💼 Meta collaborates with Alexandr Wang's Scale AI, investing $14 billion and offering lucrative salaries to attract top researchers. ⚠️ The pursuit of superintelligence is controversial, with debates on ethical implications and existential risks. is controversial, with debates on ethical implications and existential risks. 🔧 Meta is reorganizing its AI division to address internal challenges and strengthen its position as a global leader in AI innovation. Mark Zuckerberg continues his relentless pursuit of groundbreaking technological advancements, shifting focus from the metaverse to the ambitious realm of superintelligent AI. Despite the metaverse's lackluster results and staggering costs, Zuckerberg is determined to push boundaries once again, investing billions of dollars into this new venture. This strategic pivot represents Meta's unwavering commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation, aiming to surpass human cognitive capabilities with AI. The Ambitious Quest for Superintelligent AI Meta's endeavor to develop superintelligent AI marks a bold step forward in the tech industry. Unlike existing AI systems, which are yet to achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) – the ability to match human intelligence – Meta aspires to transcend these boundaries. The company has established a dedicated lab to spearhead this mission, with the ambitious goal of creating AI that far exceeds human cognitive abilities. Central to this initiative is the collaboration with Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old founder and CEO of Scale AI. Meta's substantial investment of $14 billion to acquire a 49% stake in this startup underscores the seriousness of their commitment. Moreover, the company is reportedly offering substantial salaries ranging from seven to nine figures to attract top researchers from industry giants like OpenAI and Google. This aggressive recruitment strategy highlights Meta's determination to assemble a team capable of realizing its audacious vision. 'China's Bold Plan Unveiled': A Deep-Sea Space Station 6560 Feet Underwater Set to Revolutionize Marine Exploration by 2030 The Historical Context of Meta's AI Ambitions Meta's interest in AI is not a recent development. The company established its first AI lab in 2013, following an unsuccessful attempt to acquire DeepMind, which was later secured by Google. Despite skepticism from some quarters, including Meta's Chief Scientist Yann LeCun, who was unimpressed by OpenAI's ChatGPT, the tech world has seen a surge in interest and investment in AI, AGI, and now, superintelligence. This historical backdrop provides insights into Meta's current pursuits, illustrating a pattern of consistent investment in AI technologies. While the concept of superintelligence remains contentious, with some dismissing it as science fiction, the financial and intellectual resources being funneled into this area are undeniably substantial. 'Mosquitoes Outwit Human Defenses': Scientists Uncover How These Insects Evade Traps and Survive Our Cleverest Tricks Controversies and Challenges in Pursuing Superintelligence The notion of developing an AI system more intelligent than humans is not without its controversies. Critics argue that the pursuit of superintelligence diverts attention from pressing issues associated with current AI technologies, such as biases, surveillance, and environmental impact. The idea of a superintelligent AI also raises concerns about existential risks, where a powerful AI could potentially operate beyond human control – echoing fears reminiscent of science fiction scenarios like Skynet. Despite these concerns, the drive to achieve superintelligence persists, fueled by the potential benefits and competitive edge it promises. The debate surrounding these technologies underscores the importance of ethical and regulatory considerations as the field advances. 'Einstein Would Lose His Mind': Scientists Uncover Ultimate Power Limit That Could Finally Fuse Relativity with Quantum Mechanics Meta's Strategic Reorganization and Future Prospects In light of internal challenges and the lackluster performance of recent products like Llama and Meta AI, Meta has embarked on a strategic reorganization of its AI division. This move is part of a broader effort to reestablish the company as a global leader in AI innovation. However, navigating the current political and regulatory landscape in the United States presents additional hurdles. With heightened scrutiny from regulators, Meta must tread carefully, avoiding aggressive acquisitions of AI startups. Instead, the company is focused on strengthening its internal capabilities and fostering innovation within its existing structure. This strategic pivot aims to position Meta at the forefront of AI advancements, while also addressing internal and external challenges. As Meta forges ahead in its quest for superintelligent AI, the technological and ethical implications of such advancements remain a topic of intense debate. With significant resources and talent directed toward this ambitious goal, the question arises: Can Meta successfully navigate the complex landscape of AI innovation and regulation to achieve its vision of superintelligence? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (20)
Euronews
2 days ago
- Euronews
Meta bets big on start-up AI Scale and hires its co-founder
Meta is making a $14.3 billion (€12.4 billion) investment in artificial intelligence (AI) company Scale and recruiting its CEO Alexandr Wang to join a team developing "superintelligence" at the tech giant. The deal announced Thursday reflects a push by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to revive AI efforts at the parent company of Facebook and Instagram as it faces tough competition from rivals such as Google and OpenAI. Meta announced what it called a "strategic partnership and investment" with Scale late Thursday. Scale said the $14.3 billion investment puts its market value at over $29 billion (€25 billion). Scale said it will remain an independent company, but the agreement will "substantially expand Scale and Meta's commercial relationship". Meta will hold a 49 per cent stake in the start-up. Wang, though leaving for Meta with a small group of other Scale employees, will remain on Scale's board of directors. Replacing him is a new interim Scale CEO Jason Droege, who was previously the company's chief strategy officer and had past executive roles at Uber Eats and Axon. Zuckerberg's increasing focus on the abstract idea of "superintelligence" - which rival companies call artificial general intelligence, or AGI - is the latest pivot for a tech leader who in 2021 went all-in on the idea of the metaverse, changing the company's name and investing billions into advancing virtual reality and related technology. It won't be the first time since ChatGPT's 2022 debut sparked an AI arms race that a big tech company has gobbled up talent and products at innovative AI startups without formally acquiring them. Microsoft hired key staff from startup Inflection AI, including co-founder and CEO Mustafa Suleyman, who now runs Microsoft's AI division. Google pulled in the leaders of AI chatbot company while Amazon made a deal with San Francisco-based Adept that sent its CEO and key employees to the e-commerce giant. Amazon also got a license to Adept's AI systems and datasets. Wang was a 19-year-old student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) when he and co-founder Lucy Guo started Scale in 2016. They won influential backing that summer from the startup incubator Y Combinator, which was led at the time by Sam Altman, now the CEO of OpenAI. Wang dropped out of MIT, following a trajectory similar to that of Zuckerberg, who quit Harvard University to start Facebook more than a decade earlier. Scale's pitch was to supply the human labour needed to improve AI systems, hiring workers to draw boxes around a pedestrian or a dog in a street photo so that self-driving cars could better predict what's in front of them. General Motors and Toyota have been among Scale's customers. What Scale offered to AI developers was a more tailored version of Amazon's Mechanical Turk, which had long been a go-to service for matching freelance workers with temporary online jobs. More recently, the growing commercialisation of AI large language models - the technology behind OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and Meta's Llama - brought a new market for Scale's annotation teams. The company claims to service "every leading large language model," including those from Anthropic, OpenAI, Meta, and Microsoft, by helping to fine-tune their training data and test their performance. It's not clear what the Meta deal will mean for Scale's other customers. Wang has also sought to build close relationships with the U.S. government, winning military contracts to supply AI tools to the Pentagon and attending President Donald Trump's inauguration. The head of Trump's science and technology office, Michael Kratsios, was an executive at Scale for the four years between Trump's first and second terms. Meta has also begun providing AI services to the federal government. Meta has taken a different approach to AI than many of its rivals, releasing its flagship Llama system for free as an open weight product that enables people to use and modify some of its key components. Meta says more than a billion people use its AI products each month, but it's also widely seen as lagging behind competitors such as OpenAI and Google in encouraging consumer use of large language models, also known as LLMs. It hasn't yet released its purportedly most advanced model, Llama 4 Behemoth, despite previewing it in April as "one of the smartest LLMs in the world and our most powerful yet". Meta's chief AI scientist Yann LeCun, who in 2019 was a winner of computer science's top prize for his pioneering AI work, has expressed scepticism about the tech industry's current focus on LLMs. "How do we build AI systems that understand the physical world, that have persistent memory, that can reason and can plan?" LeCun asked at a French tech conference last year. These are all characteristics of intelligent behaviour that large language models "basically cannot do, or they can only do them in a very superficial, approximate way," LeCun said. Instead, he emphasised Meta's interest in "tracing a path towards human-level AI systems, or perhaps even superhuman". When he returned to France's annual VivaTech conference again on Wednesday, LeCun dodged a question about the pending Scale deal but said his AI research team's plan has "always been to reach human intelligence and go beyond it". "It's just that now we have a clearer vision for how to accomplish this," he said. LeCun co-founded Meta's AI research division more than a decade ago with Rob Fergus, a fellow professor at New York University. Fergus later left for Google but returned to Meta last month after a 5-year absence to run the research lab, replacing longtime director Joelle Pineau. Fergus wrote on LinkedIn last month that Meta's commitment to long-term AI research "remains unwavering" and described the work as "building human-level experiences that transform the way we interact with technology". Several Tesla customers in France are suing the electric vehicle (EV) maker run by Elon Musk, alleging that the cars have become 'extreme right' symbols that are harming their reputation, the law firm representing them said this week. Around 10 Tesla leaseholders are asking to terminate their contracts and recover legal costs at the Paris Commercial Court, saying that the cars turned into 'far-right totems' following Musk's support for Donald Trump's presidential bid and Germany's far-right AfD Party. "Because of Elon Musk's actions... Tesla-branded vehicles have become strong political symbols and now appear to be veritable extreme-right 'totems,' to the dismay of those who acquired them with the sole aim of possessing an innovative and ecological vehicle," the GKA law firm said in a statement cited by French media. The statement also referenced when the billionaire sparked outrage when he took to the stage and appeared to perform a salute affiliated with Nazis. Musk denied the gesture was a Nazi salute and described criticism as a 'tired' attack. The plaintiffs said that his actions now meant they are prevented 'from fully enjoying their car'. Tesla offers the option to lease a car and later buy it, or opt out of the lease. Owning a Tesla was once a symbol of status, but the vehicles in Europe and the United States have been targeted and defaced by vandals. Some Tesla owners have reportedly been putting stickers on their cars reading "I bought this before Elon went crazy". Sales of the vehicle have also plummeted since Musk entered politics. Until last week, Trump and Musk were seemingly close allies, with Musk having supported Trump both financially and publicly during his 2024 presidential campaign. Musk was also involved in the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a drive by Trump's administration to slash government programmes. However, the richest and the most powerful men's relationship came to blows very publicly after Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' which aims to fast-track policy around spending. It has hundreds of proposed changes that would impact health care and other changes to social benefits. Musk argued the bill's spending would increase the "already gigantic budget deficit" and "burden American citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt". Trump said that Musk knew about his plans for the bill but only opposed it when he learned it would impact Tesla. Musk has now backpedalled on comments he made on his social media platform X that Trump should be impeached and that the president is mentioned in the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's files. Euronews Next has contacted Tesla but did not receive a reply at the time of publication.
