Meta sees 2026 capex surging up to $135 billion on AI infrastructure push

Meta Platforms Inc. has announced an ambitious plan to significantly increase its capital expenditure, projecting it to rise between $115 billion and $135 billion by 2026. This marks a substantial jump from the $72.2 billion spent in 2025 as the company intensifies its investment in data centers and specialized hardware to bolster its advanced artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. During a recent conference call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized that 2026 will be a pivotal year for Meta's AI objectives, highlighting the concept of 'personal superintelligence'—machines capable of exceeding human cognitive functions—as a key element of the company’s strategic vision. In its fourth quarter report, Meta revealed a revenue figure of $59.89 billion, bringing its total revenue for the full year 2025 to $200.97 billion, reflecting year-over-year growth rates of 24% and 22%, respectively. Despite this considerable investment in AI, the company is also making cuts to its traditional business areas. Meta confirmed it will reduce its workforce by approximately 10% in the Reality Labs division, which manages its metaverse projects, as it shifts its focus towards AI-enhanced wearable technology. Chief Financial Officer Susan Li provided guidance for the first quarter of 2026, anticipating revenue to fall between $53.5 billion and $56.5 billion. She noted that foreign currency fluctuations are expected to provide a 4% boost to year-over-year revenue growth based on current exchange rates. Additionally, Meta forecasts its total expenses for the entirety of 2026 to be in the range of $162 billion to $169 billion. As of December 31, 2025, Meta's headcount stood at 78,865, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, the company’s long-term debt reached $58.74 billion. The total costs and expenses surged by 40% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, amounting to $35.15 billion, and rose by 24% for the full year 2025, totaling $117.69 billion, underscoring the escalating costs associated with scaling its AI infrastructure.