Ride-hailing giant Uber is intensifying its push into the AI data labeling market following Meta’s acquisition of a 49% stake in Scale AI. Uber is promoting its data labeling platform and related technologies to companies developing AI models, positioning itself as an alternative provider amid growing concerns from Scale’s clients about Meta’s influence. Uber’s expansion includes offering large-scale data sets and customizable data solutions aimed at building smarter AI agents.
Meta’s $14.8 billion investment in Scale AI, announced on June 12, is the social media giant’s second-largest acquisition to date. The deal not only strengthens Meta’s foothold in the AI landscape but reportedly unsettled some of Scale’s key clients, including OpenAI and Google, who have started phasing out reliance on Scale due to worries that Meta might gain sensitive insights into competitive AI development.
Following Meta’s deal, OpenAI has begun scaling back its contracts with Scale AI, seeking alternate and more specialized data providers such as newcomer Mercor. Scale AI, founded in 2016 and backed by over 100 investors, supplies labeled data essential for training AI models and counts major AI companies among its clientele.
Uber had launched its own data labeling platform last year and recently expanded it to offer tailored data solutions for AI developers. Industry forecasts estimate the data labeling market could surpass $17 billion by 2030, underscoring the strategic importance of these services in the ongoing race to develop advanced AI technologies.