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Zuckerberg's plan to sell excess AI compute could finds its first big customer in Anthropic
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Meta is reportedly in talks to sell excess AI compute capacity to Anthropic, a deal that could be worth up to $10 billion over two years. If finalized, this would mark the first major customer for Meta's plan to monetize its data center infrastructure. The negotiations, first reported by The New York Times, come as Meta ramps up its AI investments and seeks new revenue streams.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously signaled the company's willingness to lease out unused compute power if its own AI demand didn't keep pace. This year, Meta plans to spend up to $145 billion, with a significant portion allocated to AI development and data center expansion. The company is also exploring other revenue sources, such as paid AI subscriptions like 'Meta One' and even investing in space-based solar power for its data centers.
Anthropic pitched the arrangement in June, driven by surging demand for its AI coding tool Claude Code. The AI startup already has a $45 billion deal with SpaceXAI for compute capacity but needs additional resources to meet growth. Meta is still reviewing the proposal, and either party could walk away from the deal.
For Meta, this deal would open a new revenue stream at a time when it is heavily investing in AI infrastructure. By selling excess capacity, Meta can offset some of its massive capital expenditures. For Anthropic, the arrangement provides immediate access to needed compute power while it works on longer-term plans.
Industry observers note that such deals highlight the growing demand for AI compute and the strategic value of data center assets. Both companies are betting on continued AI adoption, with Anthropic needing capacity now and Meta looking to maximize its infrastructure investments.
Long term, Anthropic aims to build its own data centers and has hired former Google executives to lead that effort. Until then, partnerships like this potential deal offer a temporary solution. The outcome of the negotiations could set a precedent for how major tech companies monetize excess AI compute capacity.
