Meta’s AI plans are costing way more than they thought

Meta’s minimum estimate for full-year 2024 total expenses will also be $2 billion higher than expected.

“We expect full-year 2024 total expenses to be in the range of $96-99 billion, updated from our prior outlook of $94-99 billion due to higher infrastructure and legal costs,” the report said.

The increase isn’t just coming from AI. It’s also coming from product development and legal costs.

Meta is currently facing ongoing legal issues, including an antitrust lawsuit and being sued by 33 states who claim the tech giant is negatively impacting children’s mental health.

The company also expects significant increases in Reality Labs’ operating losses due to “ongoing product development efforts” and investments to scale its ecosystem, according to the report.

Reality Labs is a division of Meta that focuses on human-computer products through virtual reality headsets and augmented reality glasses.

Max Willens, senior analyst at market research firm Emarketer, a sister company to Business Insider, said it’s not surprising that Meta changed its guidance.

“Companies investing in this space, especially at the scope Meta is investing in it, may struggle with costs in the near term,” Willens said.