**Better to Risk Billions Than Fall Behind in AI: Zuckerberg**
*By Akash Pandey | Sep 19, 2025, 02:12 PM*
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made it clear that he is ready to invest heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) research and development. In a recent episode of the *Access* podcast, Zuckerberg acknowledged the possibility of an AI bubble but emphasized that the greater risk for Meta lies in not being aggressive enough in pursuing this transformative technology.
### The Stakes of AI Innovation
Zuckerberg highlighted that missing out on superintelligence—the next frontier of AI—could have far more severe consequences than overspending by hundreds of billions of dollars. He warned that if a company moves too slowly and superintelligence arrives sooner than anticipated, it could find itself at a major disadvantage, potentially hindering innovation and value creation.
“This technology is the most important enabler of new products and breakthroughs in human history,” Zuckerberg explained. “The risk, at least for a company like Meta, is probably in not being aggressive enough rather than being somewhat too aggressive.”
### Massive Financial Commitment to AI Infrastructure
Backing his vision with significant investment, Meta has pledged at least $600 billion toward building US data centers and related infrastructure by 2028. This commitment, revealed earlier this month and clarified by Meta’s CFO Susan Li, encompasses the entire US data center buildout as well as investments in business operations and new hires.
### Balancing Growth with Caution
Despite this record-level investment, Meta has recently slowed its recruitment process, a move that follows a period of offering hefty signing bonuses to attract top AI talent. This adjustment comes amid Wall Street concerns about Meta’s labor costs and warnings that stock-based compensation might dilute shareholder value without clear innovation outcomes.
### A Stable Position in the AI Race
Contrasting Meta’s approach to other AI labs like OpenAI and Anthropic, which rely heavily on fundraising to cover massive compute expenses, Zuckerberg assured investors and the public that Meta is “not at risk of going out of business.” He noted that while private AI labs face uncertainties tied to performance and broader economic conditions, Meta’s foundation remains solid.
### Preparing for Superintelligence
To stay ahead, Meta is focusing its top research talent within a small, flat “superintelligence” lab designed to foster innovation without rigid deadlines. Zuckerberg emphasized the company’s competitive edge in making “compute per researcher” a strategic advantage by outspending rivals on GPUs and custom infrastructure needed to power cutting-edge AI development.
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Mark Zuckerberg’s message is clear: in the race to develop superintelligent AI, bold investment and strategic focus are crucial. For Meta, the risk of falling behind outweighs concerns over short-term spending, as the future of technology and business innovation hangs in the balance.
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