Meta invests $10 billion as President and CEO steps down

Key Takeaways

• Meta is investing $10 billion to expand its AI data center in El Paso, Texas, creating 300 full-time jobs and over 3,000 construction jobs, with operations expected by 2028.
• Meta's El Paso data center will be 3.1 million square feet and includes plans for over 5,000 megawatts of clean energy projects and a closed-loop cooling system for water efficiency.
• Coca-Cola President and CEO James Quincey and former Walmart CEO Doug McMillon cited AI's transformative impact as a reason for stepping down, believing new leadership is needed for the AI era.
• Dravo, a new AI investing app, launched with $8 million in Series A funding, aiming to make sophisticated investing accessible and building on the DRAI ETF's 2025 outperformance of the S&P 500.
• LSU will launch Louisiana's first bachelor's degree in AI in Fall 2026, teaching students to build AI technologies, understand ethics, and detect AI-generated content.
• ARK Invest data indicates AI surpassed human writing volume in 2025, generating more words annually and raising concerns about 'model collapse.'
• Kanye West's team confirmed his new album 'Bully' was created without artificial intelligence, despite earlier claims of using AI in music production.
• TikTok utilizes AI to personalize content, foster community, and introduce new creators by learning user behavior in real-time, while offering users control over their 'For You' feed.
• Minnesota lawmakers are advancing a bill to regulate AI in mental health therapy, restricting AI's decision-making power and requiring human therapist review due to concerns about empathetic care.
• AI tools like Clarion AI are demonstrating potential to improve human behavior by increasing self-awareness and offering 'reframing' suggestions for more constructive communication.

Meta invests $10 billion in El Paso AI data center

Meta is significantly increasing its investment in its El Paso, Texas data center, raising the total to $10 billion. This expansion will grow the facility to 3.1 million square feet and create about 300 full-time jobs. Meta plans to cover energy costs and sponsor renewable energy projects to offset the data center's power usage. The company also stated its water use will be comparable to a golf course and will employ a closed-loop cooling system to reduce consumption. The data center is expected to be operational by 2028.

Meta boosts El Paso AI data center investment to $10 billion

Meta is increasing its investment in its artificial intelligence data center in El Paso, Texas, to $10 billion. The project will create around 300 jobs once operational, with over 3,000 construction workers expected during peak building. Meta is also investing in clean energy projects in Texas, aiming to add over 5,000 megawatts of clean energy to the grid. The company is working with nonprofits to address water usage concerns in the region.

Meta plans $10 billion AI data center in West Texas

Meta Platforms is reportedly increasing its investment in a West Texas artificial intelligence data center to $10 billion. This significant boost represents a more than sixfold increase in the company's commitment to the facility. The social media giant plans to spend the substantial sum on its data center located in Temple, Texas. Meta has not yet commented on the report.

CEOs step down citing AI's impact

Coca-Cola President and CEO James Quincey has acknowledged that artificial intelligence is driving a significant shift in business. He stated that his job is to ensure the right team is in place for the next wave of growth, implying a need for different leadership to navigate the AI era. Quincey's departure follows a similar sentiment from Walmart's former CEO Doug McMillon, who also cited AI as a factor in his decision to step down. Both executives suggest AI's transformative power requires new leadership approaches.

Top CEOs step down citing AI transformation

Two major CEOs have recently indicated that the rise of artificial intelligence influenced their decisions to step down from their leadership roles. Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey stated that AI represents a huge new shift, and he believes a different leader is needed for the next phase of growth. Similarly, former Walmart CEO Doug McMillon mentioned that AI's potential for transformation made him feel it was the right time to hand over the reins. Both leaders suggest that navigating the AI era requires specific expertise and energy.

Kanye West's album Bully uses no AI

Kanye West's team announced that his new album, 'Bully,' was created without using artificial intelligence. This statement contradicts earlier claims West made in a 2025 interview where he discussed using AI in his music production. Several associates of West have also confirmed that the album does not feature AI. West has been promoting 'Bully' since September 2024, but a confirmed release date has not yet been provided.

TikTok uses AI to build communities and personalize content

TikTok utilizes artificial intelligence to create a unique content discovery experience that fosters community and encourages participation. Unlike other platforms that often show repetitive content, TikTok's AI learns user behavior in real time to predict interests and introduce new topics and creators. Users have controls to customize their 'For You' feed by managing interests, blocking keywords, and refreshing their feed. This approach allows new ideas and creators to gain visibility, empowering diverse voices.

AI writing volume surpasses human output in 2025

Data from ARK Invest indicates that artificial intelligence surpassed human writing volume in 2025. AI now generates more words annually than humans, a trend that has accelerated rapidly since 2022. This rapid growth means AI could eventually exceed the total volume of human writing from the past 500 years. This development raises questions about the future of information, including the potential for AI models to train on their own output, a phenomenon known as 'model collapse.'

LSU launches first AI bachelor's degree in Louisiana

LSU is launching a new bachelor's degree program in artificial intelligence, the first of its kind in Louisiana, starting in fall 2026. The four-year program will teach students not only how to use AI but also how to build AI technologies from the ground up. It will also cover the ethical considerations of AI and methods for detecting AI-generated content. While the program aims for fall 2026, significant student enrollment is expected in 2027.

Lawmakers and tech leaders discuss AI policy

Senators Mark Warner and Josh Hawley, along with Representative Kat Cammack, recently participated in a discussion about the future of artificial intelligence policy. The event, hosted by Axios in Washington, D.C., focused on technological innovation and the development of AI policies. The conversation highlighted the ongoing dialogue between government officials and technology executives regarding the path forward for AI.

Minnesota limits AI use in mental health therapy

Minnesota lawmakers are advancing a bill to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in mental health therapy, aiming to restrict AI's decision-making power. The bill, led by Rep. Peggy Scott, allows AI for tasks like transcribing sessions but requires a human therapist to review the output. Mental health professionals and advocates express concern that AI chatbots cannot provide the nuanced, empathetic care needed by vulnerable individuals. The legislation seeks to ensure AI tools are safe and effective before being used with patients.

AI tools encourage better human behavior

Artificial intelligence tools are showing potential to improve human behavior by increasing self-awareness, similar to the Hawthorne Effect. When people know they are being observed for civility, they tend to act more civilly. Tools like Clarion AI not only observe interactions but also offer 'reframing' suggestions after conversations end. This technology aims to foster better emotional intelligence and more constructive communication by making individuals more mindful of their conduct.

AI investing app Dravo launches for everyday investors

Dravo, a new AI investing app, has launched, founded by hedge fund veteran Jack Fu. The app aims to make sophisticated investing accessible to everyday users by translating complex data into clear investment choices. Dravo's launch is supported by $8 million in Series A funding. The app builds on the success of the DRAI ETF, which outperformed the S&P 500 in 2025. Dravo allows users to link brokerage accounts to AI models that adapt to market changes.

Sources

• Meta boosts investment in El Paso AI data center to $10 billion
• Meta boosts investment in West Texas AI data center to $10 billion, CNBC reports
• Meta boosts investment in West Texas AI data center to $10 billion, CNBC reports
• AI Just One-Shotted Another CEO
• Major outgoing CEOs are citing AI as a factor in their decisions to step down
• Kanye West Says Bully Uses “No AI”
• Communities growing with AI
• AI Written Output Surpassed Human Written Output In 2025: ARK Invest Data
• LSU to launch artificial intelligence degree program, slated to begin in fall 2026
• Lawmakers & Tech Executives Discuss the Future of Artificial Intelligence
• Lawmakers move to limit the use of artificial intelligence in mental health therapy
• How AI is teaching us to be more human
• AI Investing App Dravo Launches from Hedge Fund Veteran Behind ETF That Beat the S&P 500 in 2025