Meta Platforms is making an unprecedented push into artificial intelligence with CEO Mark Zuckerberg announcing plans to invest between $60-65 billion in AI infrastructure and development throughout 2025.
The investment represents a significant increase from Meta's estimated $38-40 billion expenditure in 2024 and exceeds analysts' expectations of $50.25 billion for 2025. "This will be a defining year for AI," Zuckerberg stated in a January announcement, emphasizing that this massive effort will drive the company's core products and business in the coming years.
A cornerstone of this investment is the $10 billion AI-optimized data center being constructed in Richland Parish, Louisiana. Set to be Meta's largest data center globally, the 4-million-square-foot facility will be built on a 2,250-acre former farmland site. Construction began in December 2024 and is expected to continue through 2030. The project will create approximately 5,000 construction jobs at its peak and support 500 direct permanent positions once operational.
The Louisiana facility forms part of Meta's broader strategy to significantly expand its AI computing power. The company aims to end 2025 with over 1.3 million graphics processing units (GPUs) and bring approximately 1 gigawatt of computing power online within the year. This infrastructure will support Meta's ambitious AI goals, including making its AI assistant available to more than 1 billion users and establishing its Llama 4 as a leading state-of-the-art model.
Meta's investment comes amid intensifying competition in the AI sector. Microsoft recently announced plans to invest about $80 billion in fiscal 2025 for data center development, while Amazon has indicated its 2025 spending would exceed its estimated $75 billion for 2024. Additionally, President Donald Trump announced in January that OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle will form a venture called Stargate to invest $500 billion in AI infrastructure across the United States.
As part of its sustainability commitment, Meta has pledged to match the Louisiana data center's electricity usage with 100% clean and renewable energy and has committed to restoring more water than it consumes by investing in water restoration projects in the state.