Mark Zuckerberg Is Betting Up to $145 Billion on AI Infrastructure in 2026

Meta Platforms fell 10% after market close on July 29 following second-quarter earnings that missed analyst estimates. The selloff came despite Q2 ending June 30, with third-quarter revenue guidance also appearing to disappoint investors.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg is positioning the company for a massive AI infrastructure buildout, with capital expenditure plans reaching as high as $145 billion by 2026. The spending program represents a significant bet on artificial intelligence capabilities across Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

The earnings miss marks a sharp reversal for META shares, which had been trading at premium valuations on expectations that AI integration would drive user engagement and advertising revenue. The stock's immediate post-earnings decline signals investor concern about near-term profitability as the company prioritizes long-term AI investments over short-term margins.

The capex commitment dwarfs typical infrastructure spending in the social media sector and underscores Meta's intention to compete directly with Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon in the AI arms race.