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By signing the Code, companies would need to offer content creators certain rights and publicly share details about AI tools. The goal is to support firms in complying with the EU’s broader and binding AI Act, which is still under finalization. However, Meta believes the Code introduces too much legal ambiguity. Kaplan argued that the proposed guidelines exceed the scope of the AI Act and could hinder model development across the region.

Kaplan warned that the EU’s approach could suppress innovation and stall AI deployment, harming startups and developers across Europe. He said the overreach would “stunt European companies looking to build businesses on top of them.” The statement reinforces Meta’s longstanding criticism of EU regulatory frameworks and highlights growing tensions between technology firms and policymakers over the future direction of artificial intelligence governance.

Tech Industry and Meta Voice Concerns Over EU AI Rules

Meta is not the only major entity raising concerns. Earlier this month, leading European firms including Airbus and Siemens Energy sent a letter to EU President Ursula von der Leyen. They asked for a two-year delay in implementing the AI Act, citing similar fears over innovation loss and regulatory complexity.

The AI Code of Practice remains voluntary. But failing to comply with the eventual AI Act could result in steep penalties. These could reach up to €35 million or 7% of a company’s global annual revenue, depending on the severity of the violation.

Meta has already faced significant scrutiny and financial penalties in the EU for antitrust violations. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has openly criticized what he views as excessive regulatory pressure. Speaking on a podcast earlier this year, he accused the EU of using fines “almost like a tariff.” Still, he expressed hope that U.S. policymakers would support American tech companies in ongoing transatlantic regulatory discussions.

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As the EU pushes forward with comprehensive AI regulations, major players like Meta are signaling resistance. The company’s refusal to sign the voluntary Code may shape how other tech firms approach the evolving AI policy landscape in Europe. The outcome could significantly influence global standards for AI development and corporate accountability.

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Sources familiar with the matter say Meta offered Pang a compensation package worth tens of millions of dollars annually. The move reflects Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s aggressive strategy to recruit top AI talent to support the company’s superintelligence initiative. Meta confirmed Pang’s hiring, but Apple and other involved parties have not provided public comments.

At Apple, Pang oversaw a team of roughly 100 engineers working on foundation models. These models form the core of Apple Intelligence, announced in June, and are crucial for on-device AI applications. Recently, Apple also announced plans to open its models to third-party developers. Despite these advancements, internal tensions have surfaced due to leadership exploring the integration of external models, including those from OpenAI and Anthropic.

Morale within the AFM team has reportedly dipped as new leadership scrutinizes the division’s direction. Discussions about replacing internal systems with third-party solutions have contributed to growing uncertainty. Pang’s exit appears to reflect broader discontent and strategic ambiguity within Apple’s AI division, despite its outward-facing progress.

Meta Accelerates AI Talent Acquisition Amid Rising Competition

Ruoming Pang’s recruitment highlights Meta’s continued focus on building a world-class AI research division. Over recent months, Zuckerberg has restructured internal teams and launched a new superintelligence initiative, aiming to create AI systems that can match or exceed human capabilities in specific domains. Meta has committed to spending tens of billions of dollars on AI infrastructure in 2024, including high-performance data centers and proprietary chips.

Meta’s hiring spree includes notable names like Alexandr Wang of Scale AI, Daniel Gross, Nat Friedman, and multiple researchers from OpenAI and Anthropic. Recent recruits Yuanzhi Li and Anton Bakhtin also bring expertise from top AI labs, further strengthening Meta’s capabilities. Zuckerberg is personally involved in the recruitment process, meeting candidates privately and reaching out directly to secure key hires.

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This surge in high-profile acquisitions aligns with Meta’s efforts to compete with AI leaders such as OpenAI and Google. The company is positioning itself as a serious contender in the race toward next-generation AI platforms. With the addition of Pang, Meta not only gains technical expertise but also deepens its leadership bench for large-scale AI development.

Apple’s recent struggles with AI leadership and strategic clarity may hinder its ability to attract and retain top talent. As the AI landscape grows increasingly competitive, maintaining internal alignment and morale will be critical for any company aiming to lead the next wave of technological innovation. Pang’s departure could serve as a warning sign for Apple and a strategic advantage for Meta as both companies accelerate their AI ambitions.

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Gross’s arrival at Meta follows his previous tenure at Apple, where he led machine learning and AI after Apple acquired his startup, Cue, in 2013. His experience with predictive search and AI technology adds significant value to Meta’s expanding AI efforts and ambitious development plans.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently launched Meta Superintelligence Labs, a division designed to unify the company’s AI initiatives. This move came after Meta’s Llama 4 model faced challenges, and some key AI staff departed. The new lab will be led by Alexandr Wang, former CEO of Scale AI, and Nat Friedman, ex-GitHub chief. Both bring strong AI leadership to Meta’s growing team and a renewed focus on innovation.

Meta has invested heavily in AI, including $14.3 billion into Scale AI and pursuing minority stakes in venture capital firms like NFDG. This firm, co-founded by Gross and Friedman, has funded notable startups such as Safe Superintelligence, Perplexity, and Figma. Meta’s willingness to invest signals its commitment to building a leading position in AI innovation.

Ilya Sutskever Returns as SSI CEO Amid Meta’s Pursuit

After Daniel Gross’s departure, Ilya Sutskever reassumed the role of CEO at Safe Superintelligence, the AI startup he founded last year. SSI recently raised $1 billion to develop advanced AI systems aimed at surpassing human intelligence safely. The company is valued at approximately $32 billion.

Sutskever, who co-founded OpenAI and served as its chief scientist, returned to lead SSI following his exit amid OpenAI’s leadership turmoil in late 2023. He publicly acknowledged Meta’s acquisition attempts but affirmed SSI’s commitment to its mission. The ongoing talent war reflects broader industry dynamics, with tech giants offering lucrative packages and aggressively pursuing acquisitions. Meta’s efforts to recruit high-profile figures like Gross and Sutskever highlight its urgency to innovate and compete in AI.

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Looking ahead, Meta’s Meta Superintelligence Labs and its new leadership team may drive future breakthroughs in AI technology. The company’s strategy includes combining investments, acquisitions, and top-tier talent to regain momentum and build safe, cutting-edge AI systems. SSI’s path under Sutskever will also remain closely watched as the startup advances its ambitious goals.

The post Meta Hires CEO from Ilya Sutskever’s AI Startup appeared first on Plow United.

Exxon recently announced plans to build a natural gas plant specifically designed to power data centers. According to Exxon Chief Financial Officer Kathryn Mikells, the facility will incorporate carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to reduce its emissions by up to 90%. Mikells highlighted the project’s potential to offer reliable, low-carbon energy, independent of traditional electric grids. Which enables faster deployment compared to conventional power generation methods. While Exxon has not disclosed specific customers or timelines, the company is working with “large-cap industrials” to develop the initiative.

Exxon’s investment in carbon capture technology includes a network of more than 900 miles of pipeline along the Gulf Coast. Designed to transport CO2 from industrial facilities to permanent storage sites. The company estimates that decarbonizing AI data centers could represent up to 20% of its total addressable market for CCS by 2050, making it a significant area of growth.

Chevron is also exploring solutions to power AI data centers, leveraging its expertise as a leading natural gas producer. Jeff Gustavson, president of Chevron’s new energy business. Noted at the Reuters NEXT conference that Chevron’s extensive natural gas infrastructure, power generation capabilities, and vast landholdings position the company to serve this emerging market. Gustavson emphasized Chevron’s readiness to support the tech sector’s energy needs while integrating sustainable practices.

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Tech Giants Eye Energy Innovation for AI Data Centers: Exxon Advocates Natural Gas Over Nuclear

Tech leaders like Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta have increasingly relied on wind and solar power for their data centers. Aligning with goals to reduce their environmental impact. However, the immense energy demands of artificial intelligence (AI) have led these companies to explore more consistent and reliable energy sources.

As renewable energy faces reliability challenges, interest in nuclear power has surged. Microsoft has committed to purchasing power from the revitalized Three Mile Island nuclear reactor. While Amazon and Google are investing in next-generation small modular nuclear reactors. Meta has also sought proposals for building new nuclear facilities. Despite these initiatives, nuclear power projects face long timelines, with small reactors unlikely to be commercially available until the 2030s.

The fossil fuel industry, including Exxon Mobil, argues that natural gas offers a more immediate solution for the tech sector’s growing energy needs. Exxon CEO Darren Woods dismissed nuclear power as a long-term option and emphasized that his company can meet AI’s power demands in the near term. Speaking to analysts, Woods stated that Exxon is uniquely positioned to deliver reliable energy quickly. Leveraging its expertise in managing large-scale projects.

Exxon plans to support early-stage AI growth by installing natural gas-powered generation for data centers. Woods clarified that Exxon does not aim to enter the power generation business permanently. Instead, the company will focus on capturing and storing emissions from these facilities and supplying decarbonized natural gas to meet the growing energy demands of AI operations.

As the tech sector’s appetite for energy continues to expand. Debates over the best energy sources—nuclear, renewable, or natural gas—highlight the challenges of balancing sustainability, reliability, and rapid deployment in an era of transformative technological growth.

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