Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg publicly stated on July 28 that the United States should accelerate the research and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, moving away from overly pessimistic narratives about its future and cautioning that administrative regulation and market barriers could hinder industry innovation.
In a column and interviews published that day, Zuckerberg emphasized that society's assessment of AI's development prospects should remain positive. He described "superintelligence" as the most profound technological transformation in a generation, warning that its benefits should not be monopolized by a few institutions. Addressing concerns from some peers about AI potentially causing mass unemployment, he argued that the overall value created by technology far outweighs the risks, with infrastructure investment driving significant new job creation. He added that the prevailing pessimistic sentiment in public discourse lacks factual basis.
Zuckerberg expressed clear concern about regulatory measures being considered by US policymakers. Regarding a proposed 30-day review mechanism for AI models under the Trump administration, he stressed that given the rapid pace of current AI development, even a 30- to 60-day review delay would significantly impede technological progress. Furthermore, in response to some US officials' proposals to restrict domestic companies from using Chinese open-source AI models, Zuckerberg reiterated that blocking other countries' open-source models would be ineffective. He argued that policymakers should focus on accelerating domestic industry growth and removing bottlenecks that hinder innovation.
To address intense global competition in AI, Meta is significantly increasing its investment in technology research and infrastructure. The company expects its capital expenditure this year to reach $145 billion, primarily for purchasing high-performance chips and building data centers. While these infrastructure investments put pressure on short-term cash flow, the company is ensuring the progress of its strategic projects by optimizing its workforce and conducting specialized technical training.