Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has told the shareholders that the company could compete with Google, Amazon and Microsoft in cloud computing if its massive data center investments result in excess capacity. According to a report by CNBC, speaking at Meta’s annual shareholder meeting, Zuckerberg said, “It’s definitely on the table.” Meta has dramatically increased its capital expenditure guidance for AI development, raising its 2026 forecast to between $125 billion and $145 billion, up from $115–135 billion. Despite the better-than- expected first-quarter earnings, Meta shares fell 7% in April as investors worried about the scale of spending. However, Zuckerberg has reassured the shareholders that the company could monetize the unused compute power by renting it out, noting that outside firms regularly approach Meta to buy access. Zuckerberg’s message to the investors was clear that Meta sees its AI spending not as a risk, but as a potential gateway into one of the most lucrative technology sectors dominated by Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
Buybacks and investor confidence
Zuckerberg emphasised that Meta’s heavy investments are backed by confidence in its long-term strategy. “Obviously if we get to a point where we feel that we have overbuilt, then that is an option that we have, and that is partially what gives us confidence in investing in building this out,” he said. Meta remains the only major US hyperscaler without a dedicated cloud services business, but its spending rivals those of its competitors.
AI assistants and monetisation Plans
Beyond infrastructure, Zuckerberg highlighted Meta’s push into AI-powered personal assistants, building on the company’s Muse Spark AI model. He said people will increasingly demand premium, high-compute versions of these agents, creating monetization opportunities. Meta currently offers free AI features on WhatsApp but is working on a longer-term revenue model.
Subscription services for Meta AI
Separately, Meta announced it will begin testing monthly subscription plans for its Meta AI app and website — priced at $7.99 or $19.99 per month depending on features. The rollout will start in Singapore, Guatemala, and Bolivia, marking the first time Meta charges users directly for AI services. Zuckerberg had previously hinted at subscription-based monetisation, saying improved AI capabilities could justify premium tiers.