Jakarta, INTI – After falling behind its competitors in the artificial intelligence race, Meta is now gearing up to catch up through a far more ambitious technological endeavor: Superintelligence. The parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp is reportedly set to invest a massive 15 billion USD (approximately IDR 244 trillion) to develop an AI system capable of surpassing human intelligence.
Catching Up with Google and OpenAI
This move by Meta is seen as a strategic effort to rival the dominance of OpenAI with its ChatGPT and Google with Gemini. Reports indicate that the substantial investment will be used to acquire a 49% stake in Scale AI, a U.S.-based technology startup founded by Alexandr Wang and Lucy Guo.
Interestingly, Wang is rumored to be joining Meta in a senior position, signaling that this acquisition is not just a financial move, but part of a major transformation in Meta’s AI development strategy. Although no official statement has been released by either Meta or Scale AI, the size of the investment and the strategic role offered suggest serious intent.
What Is Superintelligence and Why Does It Matter?
Superintelligence is the most advanced form of artificial intelligence, designed not only to mimic human intelligence but to exceed it. Unlike Narrow AI such as Siri or Google Translate, which can only perform limited specific tasks or General AI, which can handle a range of human-like tasks, Superintelligence is projected to possess consciousness, intuition, and the ability to think independently.
In other words, Superintelligence can make decisions without human instructions, operate autonomously, and achieve a level of intelligence far beyond what current AI is capable of. However, experts emphasize that Superintelligence remains a theoretical concept and that the technology to realize it does not yet exist.
Between Ambition and Reality: A New Dream After the Metaverse Setback
Meta’s decision to shift its focus toward developing superintelligent AI comes after the disappointing outcome of its previous ambitious project, the Metaverse. Despite pouring massive investments into creating a virtual world integrating VR and AR technologies, the project failed to gain market traction. It was even ridiculed for its low user adoption and lack of commercial value.
Now, by turning its attention to AI, Meta seems eager to start a new chapter. This focus isn’t entirely new, as Meta has been building its AI research foundation since 2013 when it established its first AI lab after failing to acquire DeepMind, the AI startup that now powers Google’s Gemini.
Big Investment, High Stakes
The Superintelligence development plan is further backed by an additional 65 billion USD (around IDR 1,050 trillion) that Meta has earmarked for building AI infrastructure in early 2025. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has described 2025 as a “pivotal year” for the company’s AI future.
Although the project is still far from becoming reality, Meta’s plan underscores that the AI race is not just about who gets there first, but who is best prepared to lead into the future. If successful, Superintelligence could be a major turning point not only for Meta but for the global trajectory of technological advancement.
Conclusion
Meta’s Superintelligence project symbolizes a new ambition born from past lessons. Following the failure of the Metaverse, Meta is determined not to remain a bystander in the AI revolution. Though still conceptual, this initiative indicates that the tech world is now aiming for a new pinnacle in artificial intelligence one where machines don’t just assist humans, but may one day surpass them.
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