Latest news with #Scale
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
OpenAI is phasing out Scale AI work following startup's Meta deal
OpenAI is phasing out the work it does with data-labeling startup Scale AI , cutting ties with the company days after Meta Platforms Inc. invested billions of dollars in it and hired its founder. Scale accounted for a small fraction of OpenAI's overall data needs, according to an OpenAI spokesperson who confirmed the firm's decision to phase out work with the company. The ChatGPT maker was already in the process of winding down its reliance on Scale before Meta, an OpenAI competitor, took a 49% stake in the firm, the spokesperson said, adding that OpenAI had been seeking other providers for more specialized data needed to support increasingly advanced artificial intelligence models. OpenAI's plans inject new uncertainty into Scale's business in the wake of Meta's unusual deal. Meta is investing $14.3 billion in Scale and has poached the startup's chief executive officer, Alexandr Wang , for a new so-called 'superintelligence' unit, focused on building a more powerful, and hypothetical, form of AI software. Other Scale employees are expected to follow Wang to Meta to work on AI.A Scale AI spokesperson declined to comment. Founded in 2016, Scale signed up prominent customers, including Alphabet Inc. 's Google, Meta and OpenAI, providing them with the data needed to build AI models. However, Meta's deal with Scale raised concerns that the social-media company may gain new visibility into its rivals' AI development efforts. Google plans to cut ties with Scale, Reuters reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. Right after the Meta deal was announced, OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar had signaled that the company intended to keep working with Scale. 'We don't want to ice the ecosystem because acquisitions are going to happen,' Friar said at the VivaTech conference in Paris last week. Over the past six to 12 months, however, OpenAI had determined that Scale was not the best fit for it because the AI developer needed more data expertise than Scale could provide, the OpenAI spokesperson said. OpenAI has shifted to building more advanced AI models that can mimic the process of human reasoning, as well as agent-like models that can carry out tasks with limited input from users. Forbes previously reported OpenAI had been winding down its Scale work for initially focused on working with an army of contractors to do the grunt work of labeling text and images for earlier AI systems. Scale has gradually enlisted better-paid contractors with doctorates, nursing and other advanced degrees to help develop more sophisticated models. Despite those efforts, OpenAI has increasingly relied on other data providers , including newer entrants like Mercor , according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified because the information is private. Mercor was previously known for using AI for recruiting tech employees, but now focuses on finding experts to help AI companies develop more advanced models.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Facebook-parent Meta in talks to hire former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman for its AI team: Report
Facebook-parent Meta is reportedly looking to bring former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman on board, reports The Information. As per the report, the aim is to support the company's artificial intelligence efforts. The report quoted a person familiar with the matter. It said that the social media giant is also in talks with Daniel Gross—Friedman's partner at investment firm NFDG—about a potential role related to AI at Meta. Additionally, Meta is considering a partial buyout of NFDG, the report said. These developments come as major tech firms continue to invest heavily in AI to maintain a competitive edge. Last week, Meta announced a $14.8 billion investment in Scale AI, its second-largest investment to date. The company also hired Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang to lead its newly formed superintelligence unit. Friedman currently serves on Meta's Advisory Group, an external council that offers guidance on technology and product strategy. As mentioned above, the company hired 28-year-old Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang as Superintelligence Chief recently. Meta signed an investment of $14.3 billion in Scale AI, taking a 49% stake in a deal. Confirming the partnership, Meta said: 'We will deepen the work we do together producing data for AI models, and Alexandr Wang will join Meta to work on our superintelligence efforts.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Sending a memo to ScaleAI employees, Wang confirmed his exit from the company. He will remain on Scale's board. Scale's Chief Strategy Officer, Jason Droege, will serve as interim CEO. Wang also told employees that a small number of Scale's 1,500 workers will join him at Meta. Alcatel V3 Ultra Unboxing & Hands-on | Dual Display Mode, Sleek Design & More! AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
OpenAI is phasing out Scale AI work following startup's Meta deal
OpenAI is phasing out the work it does with data-labeling startup Scale AI, cutting ties with the company days after Meta Platforms Inc. invested billions of dollars in it and hired its founder. Scale accounted for a small fraction of OpenAI's overall data needs, according to an OpenAI spokesperson who confirmed the firm's decision to phase out work with the company. The ChatGPT maker was already in the process of winding down its reliance on Scale before Meta, an OpenAI competitor, took a 49% stake in the firm, the spokesperson said, adding that OpenAI had been seeking other providers for more specialized data needed to support increasingly advanced artificial intelligence models. OpenAI's plans inject new uncertainty into Scale's business in the wake of Meta's unusual deal. Meta is investing $14.3 billion in Scale and has poached the startup's chief executive officer, Alexandr Wang, for a new so-called 'superintelligence' unit, focused on building a more powerful, and hypothetical, form of AI software. Other Scale employees are expected to follow Wang to Meta to work on AI.A Scale AI spokesperson declined to comment. Founded in 2016, Scale signed up prominent customers, including Alphabet Inc.'s Google, Meta and OpenAI, providing them with the data needed to build AI models. However, Meta's deal with Scale raised concerns that the social-media company may gain new visibility into its rivals' AI development efforts. Google plans to cut ties with Scale, Reuters reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. Right after the Meta deal was announced, OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar had signaled that the company intended to keep working with Scale. 'We don't want to ice the ecosystem because acquisitions are going to happen,' Friar said at the VivaTech conference in Paris last week. Over the past six to 12 months, however, OpenAI had determined that Scale was not the best fit for it because the AI developer needed more data expertise than Scale could provide, the OpenAI spokesperson said. OpenAI has shifted to building more advanced AI models that can mimic the process of human reasoning, as well as agent-like models that can carry out tasks with limited input from users. Forbes previously reported OpenAI had been winding down its Scale work for initially focused on working with an army of contractors to do the grunt work of labeling text and images for earlier AI systems. Scale has gradually enlisted better-paid contractors with doctorates, nursing and other advanced degrees to help develop more sophisticated those efforts, OpenAI has increasingly relied on other data providers, including newer entrants like Mercor, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified because the information is private. Mercor was previously known for using AI for recruiting tech employees, but now focuses on finding experts to help AI companies develop more advanced models.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
OpenAI is phasing out Scale AI work following startup's Meta deal
OpenAI is phasing out the work it does with data-labeling startup Scale AI , cutting ties with the company days after Meta Platforms Inc. invested billions of dollars in it and hired its founder. Scale accounted for a small fraction of OpenAI's overall data needs, according to an OpenAI spokesperson who confirmed the firm's decision to phase out work with the company. The ChatGPT maker was already in the process of winding down its reliance on Scale before Meta, an OpenAI competitor, took a 49% stake in the firm, the spokesperson said, adding that OpenAI had been seeking other providers for more specialized data needed to support increasingly advanced artificial intelligence models. OpenAI's plans inject new uncertainty into Scale's business in the wake of Meta's unusual deal. Meta is investing $14.3 billion in Scale and has poached the startup's chief executive officer, Alexandr Wang , for a new so-called 'superintelligence' unit, focused on building a more powerful, and hypothetical, form of AI software. Other Scale employees are expected to follow Wang to Meta to work on AI.A Scale AI spokesperson declined to comment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo Founded in 2016, Scale signed up prominent customers, including Alphabet Inc. 's Google, Meta and OpenAI, providing them with the data needed to build AI models. However, Meta's deal with Scale raised concerns that the social-media company may gain new visibility into its rivals' AI development efforts. Google plans to cut ties with Scale, Reuters reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. Right after the Meta deal was announced, OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar had signaled that the company intended to keep working with Scale. 'We don't want to ice the ecosystem because acquisitions are going to happen,' Friar said at the VivaTech conference in Paris last week. Live Events Over the past six to 12 months, however, OpenAI had determined that Scale was not the best fit for it because the AI developer needed more data expertise than Scale could provide, the OpenAI spokesperson said. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories OpenAI has shifted to building more advanced AI models that can mimic the process of human reasoning, as well as agent-like models that can carry out tasks with limited input from users. Forbes previously reported OpenAI had been winding down its Scale work for initially focused on working with an army of contractors to do the grunt work of labeling text and images for earlier AI systems. Scale has gradually enlisted better-paid contractors with doctorates, nursing and other advanced degrees to help develop more sophisticated models. Despite those efforts, OpenAI has increasingly relied on other data providers, including newer entrants like Mercor, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified because the information is private. Mercor was previously known for using AI for recruiting tech employees, but now focuses on finding experts to help AI companies develop more advanced models.
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Scale LLP Deepens Startup and VC Bench Through Merger with Fathom Law
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fathom Law, a San Francisco-based firm known for its emerging companies and venture capital (EC/VC) practice, has merged with Scale LLP, a modern national firm. The merger brings together two firms that share a philosophy of delivering business-minded, startup-savvy counsel with the speed and innovation today's venture-backed companies demand. Founded by Eric Ferraro in 2013, Fathom has served as outside general counsel for hundreds of technology startups and late-stage venture-backed companies, advising on lifecycle needs including venture finance and M&A transactions valued at more than $2 billion in the aggregate. Scale also has roots in Silicon Valley, with more than half of its attorneys bringing in-house experience to the firm's capabilities in the venture tech sector. The addition of six lawyers from Fathom expands Scale's footprint to 80 attorneys nationwide and bolsters a strong corporate and EC/VC practice. 'Fathom's track record with startups and VCs makes them a perfect fit for our firm, and for where our clients are going next,' said Scale Managing Partner David Reidy. 'Like us, the Fathom team believes that lawyers and their clients are looking for a modern alternative to the traditional law firm model, and they share our mission of building a top-tier national firm.' 'We built Scale to deliver elite legal services based on real-world experience,' added Scale Founding Partner Adam Forest. 'Eric and his colleagues strengthen our ability to do that while underscoring the innovation that runs through our firm.' The Fathom merger creates additional capacity for Scale to serve clients comprehensively as they grow, from early-stage startups navigating their first financing rounds to established companies preparing for M&A and capital markets exit opportunities. Clients gain access to expanded legal services, a deeper bench of trusted advisors, and continued access to the attorneys they trust, without any disruption to service, rates, or attorney relationships. 'This partnership gives our clients access to the Scale team's broad capabilities and national presence without sacrificing the focus and responsiveness they expect from Fathom,' said Ferraro. 'The merger aligns us with a firm that shares Fathom's DNA and exceptional lawyers who understand both the pace of startups and the sophisticated legal needs of scaling companies.' This merger advances Scale's vision of a modern law firm — where elite talent, efficiency, and business insight converge. About Scale LLP Scale LLP is a national law firm with a modern legal delivery model. With 80+ lawyers across the country, Scale serves high-growth companies and sophisticated clients through practices spanning corporate and securities, general counsel services, fintech and financial services, real estate and land use, litigation, and intellectual property. Learn more at
