Meta Initiates $60B AI Data Center Expansion, Starting in Ohio

Meta Platforms is set to make a significant investment in its artificial intelligence infrastructure, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg announcing plans for multiple new data centers. The first facility, named Prometheus, is scheduled to begin operations in 2026 in Ohio. This marks the start of a substantial expansion aimed at enhancing the company’s capabilities in advanced AI technologies.

In a post on Threads, Meta’s social media platform, Zuckerberg stated, “We’re calling the first one Prometheus and it’s coming online in ’26.” He also indicated that additional facilities, referred to as “titan clusters,” are in the pipeline. The scale of this initiative is unprecedented, with Zuckerberg revealing that Meta will invest between $60 billion and $65 billion in AI data center projects in 2025. This is a notable increase from the $35 billion to $40 billion allocated in the previous year.

The new data centers, including Prometheus and another major complex called Hyperion, will play a crucial role in the company’s strategy to achieve what Zuckerberg terms “superintelligence.” Hyperion, which is being developed in Richland Parish, Louisiana, is expected to cost $10 billion and ultimately reach a capacity of five gigawatts, positioning it as one of the largest facilities of its kind globally.

Analyst firm SemiAnalysis has indicated that Meta could be the first organization to operationalize a supercluster with over one gigawatt of capacity, a milestone highlighted by Zuckerberg in his announcement. The ambitious plans reflect Meta’s financial strength, primarily supported by revenue from its advertising platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.

Strategic Hiring to Drive AI Initiatives

A critical element of Meta’s strategy involves assembling a top-tier team dedicated to advancing its superintelligence projects. Over the past year, Zuckerberg has actively recruited specialists from leading AI organizations such as OpenAI and Google DeepMind. To attract this talent, Meta has offered lucrative compensation packages, with some valued at up to $100 million over four years.

Among the notable hires is Alexandr Wang, co-founder of Scale AI, who now serves as Meta’s chief AI officer following the company’s acquisition of a 49 percent stake in his firm for $14.3 billion. Other key additions to the team include former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and Daniel Gross, co-founder of Safe Superintelligence. Zuckerberg emphasized the importance of building “the most elite and talent-dense team in the industry” to propel Meta’s AI initiatives forward.

As Meta continues to expand its influence in the AI sector, the construction of data centers like Prometheus and Hyperion represents a strategic move to ensure its leadership in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. With significant financial backing and a commitment to attracting top talent, the company aims to revolutionize the capabilities of AI technologies in the years ahead.