Meta in Talks to Lease Cloud Compute to Anthropic

Meta is negotiating with AI startup Anthropic about leasing computing infrastructure, a move that would position the social media company as a competitor to Amazon, Microsoft, and Google in the cloud computing market.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed to CNN that discussions between the two companies are underway, though still at an early stage. The New York Times first reported the talks, citing three sources who estimated the potential deal could be worth up to $10 billion over two years. CNN's source cautioned that any specific figures circulating are speculative at this point. Both Meta and Anthropic declined to comment.

Why it matters

This potential arrangement represents a significant strategic pivot for Meta. Rather than simply consuming computing resources for its own AI development, the company could monetize its massive infrastructure investments by becoming a cloud provider. The move comes as Meta faces pressure from investors to demonstrate tangible returns on AI spending that has reached unprecedented levels — between $125 billion and $145 billion in capital expenditures planned for this year alone, roughly double the prior year's outlay.

Infrastructure buildout creates new opportunities

Meta has been constructing data center capacity at a scale that may exceed its immediate internal needs. CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged this possibility at the company's May shareholder meeting, noting that external companies regularly approach Meta seeking to purchase computing capacity at a premium.

"We haven't done that yet because we think that we have a use for the compute," Zuckerberg said. "But obviously if we get to a point where we feel that we have overbuilt, then that is an option that we have."

The company has already taken steps to offset infrastructure costs, including laying off approximately 8,000 employees — 10% of its workforce — in April.

Demand for AI compute remains intense

Anthropic represents a substantial potential customer. The AI lab already maintains multibillion-dollar compute licensing agreements with Google, SpaceX, Microsoft, and Amazon, reflecting the industry's voracious appetite for processing power as companies race to develop and deploy advanced AI models.

For Meta, the timing aligns with efforts to demonstrate AI monetization. The company recently released an upgraded version of its Muse Spark AI model, claiming coding capabilities competitive with offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic. Meta also introduced its first paid version of the service, signaling a push for direct AI revenue.

Meta's stock has declined more than 8% year-over-year, suggesting investor skepticism about the company's ability to translate massive AI investments into financial returns. A cloud computing business line could provide a new revenue stream while utilizing infrastructure already under construction.

The talks were first reported by the New York Times.