In a recent Instagram Reels post, Mark Zuckerberg shared Meta’s ambitious plans to invest billions of dollars in Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI chips, signaling a strategic shift towards artificial intelligence (AI). The move aims to bolster Meta’s pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI), a vision Zuckerberg emphasized as the company’s long-term goal.

By the end of 2024, Meta intends to incorporate a staggering 350,000 Nvidia H100 graphics cards into its computing infrastructure. These high-end chips are central to AI research and projects, with each unit estimated to cost between $25,000 to $30,000, potentially totaling close to $9 billion in expenditures for Meta if the company secures them at the lower end of the price range.

Zuckerberg’s announcement sheds light on Meta’s commitment to AGI research, distinguishing itself from competitors like OpenAI and Microsoft. The company plans to include “almost 600k H100 equivalents of compute” in its infrastructure, encompassing various GPU models, showcasing the extent of Meta’s dedication to advancing AI capabilities.

Meta’s Chief Scientist, Yann LeCun, emphasized the critical role of GPUs in AGI research, stating, “[If] you think AGI is in, the more GPUs you have to buy.” This investment aligns with Meta’s substantial expenses projected for 2024, ranging from $94 billion to $99 billion, primarily driven by computing expansion and a significant focus on AI development.

While Meta faces challenges due to the high demand and limited supply of Nvidia’s H100, the company’s commitment to becoming a major player in AI remains unwavering. The move positions Meta as one of Nvidia’s largest customers, with last year’s H100 orders dominated by Meta and Microsoft.

Zuckerberg’s vision extends beyond traditional AI applications, as he expressed Meta’s plans to “open source responsibly” its yet-to-be-developed general intelligence. This approach aligns with the company’s strategy for its Llama family of large language models, showcasing a commitment to responsible and collaborative AI development.

Despite Meta’s pivot from the Metaverse, Zuckerberg hinted at the continued importance of virtual reality, revealing plans for AI-enhanced virtual reality glasses. These glasses, he believes, are the ideal form factor for enabling AI to interact with users seamlessly throughout the day.

In conclusion, Meta’s substantial investment in Nvidia’s AI chips positions the company at the forefront of AI innovation. With a focus on AGI and responsible open-sourcing, Meta aims to shape the future of AI technology, emphasizing collaboration and advancements that benefit users and organizations of all sizes.