Meta allocates $14.3 billion for AI infrastructure investment

Key Takeaways

• Meta introduces subscription plans for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp to offset AI costs.
• Meta allocates $14.3 billion for acquisition and $125 billion for AI infrastructure investment.
• SpaceX surpasses Amazon in market valuation, becoming the fifth most valuable public company.
• Anthropic sees significant sales growth amid feud with Trump administration.
• Astrall Dynamics receives investment from SAIC Motor for embodied AI robotics.
• LTX introduces agentic AI capabilities in BondGPT corporate bond trading application.
• Fortinet partners with NVIDIA to accelerate GPU-powered AI security.
• XDOF raises $70 million to provide robot training data to AI labs and robotics companies.
• GSA proposes new contract clause for AI systems to ensure unbiased AI principles.
• Meta partners with Reliance Industries to build AI-ready data center in India.

Meta starts charging for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp

Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, has introduced subscription plans for its popular apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The move aims to offset rising AI costs and fund the company's ambitious AI projects. Meta's AI ambitions include a $14.3 billion acquisition and a $125 billion investment in AI infrastructure. The company is testing new subscriptions for businesses, creators, and Meta AI users. Standard Instagram and Facebook Plus subscriptions cost $9.99 per month, while WhatsApp Plus costs $9.99 per month.

Meta expands India data center with AI focus

Meta has partnered with Reliance Industries to build an AI-ready data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The 168 MW data center will support Meta's AI infrastructure and product roadmap. The move is part of Meta's efforts to invest in AI and expand its presence in India. The data center will use renewable energy and support Meta's goal of reducing carbon emissions.

SpaceX valuation surpasses Amazon

SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has become the fifth most valuable public company globally, surpassing Amazon. The company's market valuation growth has been rapid, and it has made significant advancements in space exploration. The European Central Bank has taken a cautious approach to interest rates, indicating a need for further economic data before committing to additional rate hikes.

LTX launches agentic AI in BondGPT

LTX has introduced agentic AI capabilities in its BondGPT corporate bond trading application. The technology allows users to create AI agents that monitor markets, surface opportunities, and trigger predefined trading actions. The platform has seen significant adoption, with over 40 liquidity providers and 100 buy-side firms using it.

Anthropic's sales growth amid feud with Trump admin

Anthropic, an AI company, has seen significant sales growth, particularly among business users. The company's feud with the Trump administration may actually help its sales, as it gains attention from users looking for alternative AI solutions. Anthropic's AI technology has been praised for its ability to process large amounts of data quickly and accurately.

Astrall Dynamics gains investment from SAIC

Astrall Dynamics, an embodied AI robotics startup, has received investment from SAIC Motor and other investors. The company specializes in developing smart robots and motor control systems. The investment will help Astrall Dynamics advance its R&D and deployment of quadruped robots.

GSA proposes AI contract clause

The General Services Administration (GSA) has proposed a new contract clause for AI systems. The clause aims to ensure that AI systems are developed and monitored in accordance with unbiased AI principles. The GSA is seeking public comment on the proposed clause and has scheduled a public listening session.

XDOF raises $70 million for robot training data

XDOF, a startup, has raised $70 million to provide robot training data to AI labs and robotics companies. The company aims to build data pipelines, collection tools, and annotation systems for frontier labs and robotics companies.

Fortinet partners with NVIDIA for AI security

Fortinet has partnered with NVIDIA to accelerate GPU-powered AI security. The partnership aims to enhance the security of AI workloads and prevent potential security threats. The integration will enable faster and more accurate threat detection.

APTAU webinar on AI vision and quantum-ready security

This APTAU webinar, June 25, 1:00 p.m. (Eastern), pairs a vehicle-safety deep-dive with a security reality check. The first half shows how AI safety technology such as collision-avoidance/ADAS, dash cameras with driver monitoring, 360° surround-view, e-mirrors, and onboard recording turns transit cameras into an active...

Sources

• Why Meta Is Suddenly Charging For Facebook, Instagram And WhatsApp
• Why Meta (META) Is Up 5.1% After Tying India Data Center Expansion To AI And Threads
• SpaceX Overtakes Amazon, Iran Deal & AI Career Coaches
• AI agents for bond trading: inside LTX’s BondGPT upgrade
• Anthropic’s latest feud with the Trump admin may actually help it, sales data suggests
• Seeds | Embodied AI Robotics Startup Astrall Dynamics Gains Investment from SAIC and Others
• GSA Issues Proposed AI Contract Clause, Seeks Feedback
• Collecting robot training data is dirty, unglamorous work. Some AI labs are already paying XDOF to do it
• Fortinet (FTNT) Partners with NVIDIA (NVDA) to Accelerate GPU-Powered AI Security
• AI Vision in Transit: Vehicle Safety Meets Quantum-Ready Security Webinar