OpenAI is gradually ending its collaboration with Scale AI and has now officially cut ties with the data provider after Meta announced a major investment deal with the company. An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed the decision in a statement to Bloomberg.
While OpenAI’s Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar had previously suggested that the partnership with Scale AI would continue, the company has since shifted its position and made a different decision.
According to OpenAI, the company had already begun winding down its relationship with Scale AI even before news broke that Meta would be investing billions of dollars into the startup and bringing its CEO, Alexandr Wang, on board. OpenAI stated that it is looking for more specialized data providers to support the development of its increasingly advanced artificial intelligence models.
The move raises questions about Scale AI’s core business of data labeling. Just last week, Reuters reported that Google was also considering cutting ties with Scale AI.
Amid news of the Meta deal, some of Scale AI’s competitors have reported a surge in interest from artificial intelligence developers seeking more “neutral” partnerships.
In a blog post published Wednesday, Scale AI’s general counsel emphasized that Meta would not have access to confidential information from other clients and that CEO Alexandr Wang would not be involved in daily operations. However, despite these assurances, it appears that some of Scale AI’s biggest customers are already moving away from the company.
On the same day, Scale AI’s interim CEO Jason Droege published a separate blog post stating that the company will now double down on building custom artificial intelligence applications for governments and large enterprises.
These developments highlight the growing importance of neutrality and data security in the field of artificial intelligence. Companies are increasingly expected to demonstrate strategic flexibility to remain competitive in a rapidly changing tech landscape.
