Meta Platforms is engaged in preliminary discussions with artificial intelligence company Anthropic regarding a significant computing infrastructure lease that could be valued at approximately $10 billion over a two-year period, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations. The discussions represent an early exploration of commercial terms, and while both parties are exploring the framework of such an arrangement, no finalised agreement has been reached, with the possibility that talks may ultimately prove unsuccessful remaining substantive.
The reported negotiations underscore Meta's strategic interest in developing a computing services business distinct from its core advertising operations. Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg indicated during the company's May shareholder meeting that expanding into cloud computing infrastructure represented a logical avenue for growth, with competing technology firms regularly approaching Meta seeking either access to its proprietary artificial intelligence systems or capacity to utilise its surplus computing resources. This stated openness to such ventures has now materialised into concrete preliminary discussions with one of the sector's most prominent AI developers.
Anthropically, the company behind the Claude AI system, initiated the proposal in June, positioning the agreement as a mechanism to secure reliable, large-scale computing capacity essential for training and operating advanced language models. The envisioned arrangement would involve Anthropic remitting payment to Meta through monthly instalments distributed across the two-year term, though contract specifics remain fluid and subject to modification as negotiations progress. Notably, both parties have negotiated early exit provisions, allowing either side to terminate the agreement prior to the scheduled conclusion without incurring substantial penalties.
The potential transaction would position Meta alongside technology infrastructure providers such as CoreWeave and Nebius, who have capitalised on accelerating demand for computational resources driven by the proliferation of sophisticated AI applications. By converting otherwise underutilised data centre capacity into a revenue stream, Meta could diversify its income sources and reduce financial dependence on advertising markets increasingly subject to regulatory scrutiny and user privacy concerns. This strategic pivot aligns with boardroom discussions about how major technology firms can monetise their existing infrastructure investments beyond their original operational purposes.
Meta's consideration of the Anthropic proposal comes as the company announced plans to establish a dedicated cloud services division capable of provisioning excess computing capacity and hosting AI models for external developers. This initiative, disclosed earlier this month through Bloomberg News reporting, indicates that Meta's exploration of infrastructure-as-a-service extends beyond individual negotiations with high-profile partners. The emergence of a formalised cloud business would represent a substantial organisational restructuring, requiring the company to establish sales channels, customer support mechanisms, and contractual frameworks distinct from its traditional advertising infrastructure.
Anthropically, preparing for an initial public offering, requires substantial computational resources to support its rapidly expanding AI research and deployment operations. The proposed arrangement with Meta would provide Anthropic with guaranteed access to high-capacity computing infrastructure without requiring capital expenditure on proprietary data centre construction. This model mirrors the recently announced partnership between Anthropic and Elon Musk's SpaceX, wherein Anthropic gained access to the full computational capacity of SpaceX's Colossus 1 data centre facility located in Memphis, Tennessee, following an agreement reached in May. The SpaceX arrangement demonstrated Anthropic's willingness to pursue infrastructure partnerships with technology companies possessing substantial computing assets.
For Malaysian and Southeast Asian technology observers, these developments signal a broader restructuring within global technology markets. The emergence of multiple companies competing to supply computing capacity for AI applications creates opportunities for regional technology firms and data centre operators to establish themselves within emerging infrastructure supply chains. Furthermore, the diversification of major advertising platforms away from pure advertising-dependent business models may reshape how technology services are priced and distributed across regional markets.
Meta's pursuit of computing infrastructure revenue reflects pressures facing advertising-dependent technology companies to develop alternative income sources amid regulatory pressures and shifting user demographics. The company's substantial existing data centre investments position it competitively within infrastructure markets, yet its relative inexperience operating commercial cloud services creates operational complications. Unlike established cloud providers, Meta would require development of commercial expertise in customer acquisition, service level agreements, and technical support mechanisms historically outside its organisational competencies.
The preliminary nature of current discussions warrants caution regarding deal completion likelihood. Commentators note that structural complexities surrounding Meta's existing organisational framework and Anthropic's particular technical requirements could prove insurmountable during detailed negotiation phases. Additionally, regulatory review of major technology partnerships has intensified substantially, potentially introducing approval requirements or conditions that could modify transaction scope or timeline.
Neither Meta nor Anthropic provided official comment regarding the New York Times reporting, with Meta declining to respond to Reuters inquiries while Anthropic similarly declined confirmation. This circumspection reflects standard practice during preliminary negotiations when public discussion risks complicating confidential discussions or triggering regulatory scrutiny. Reuters independently could not verify the reported transaction details, underscoring the preliminary status of discussions and the possibility that arrangements may conclude differently than currently proposed or might not finalise whatsoever.
