$77 BILLION METAVERSE BETTING | A NEEDED MISTAKE OR RISK?

Mark Zuckerberg

$77 BILLION METAVERSE BETTING | A NEEDED MISTAKE OR RISK?

economist Dean Baker has sparked new debate by calling Mark Zuckerberg's $77 billion investment in the Metaverse “colossal garbage. " According to Baker, this spending spree isn't just hurting Facebook's finances—it's diverting resources that could address real-world problems like affordable housing, health care, and social infrastructure. 

For years, metas poured billions into cyberspace, betting that the metaverse would be the next internet. But adoption has been slower than expected, losses have mounted, and critics argue the vision is far ahead of reality. Baker described the move not just as a corporate miscalculation, but as a broader economic failure that highlights how unbridled technology spending can miss society's urgent needs. 

But here's the twist: the meta is now turning hard towards AI. 

The company has shifted focus aggressively to artificial intelligence, including its multi-billion dollar acquisition of AI startup Manungsa, one of Facebook's largest-ever deals. The move aims to power chatbots, AI agents, and next-generation platforms, directly challenging OpenAI, Google, and other AI giants. 

This contrast tells a powerful story:

Metaverse represents a bold but expensive dream

AI represents direct impact, competition and survival

Zuckerberg's strategy now seems clearer—cut losses, refocus, and race toward AI leadership. Whether this pivot makes up for the meta's past bets or simply replaces one risky bet with another remains to be seen. 

Your turn:

Is Metaverse a forward-looking step—or a $77 billion lesson within reach? 

And will AI be Facebook's comeback story? 

Share your thoughts! 

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, Metaverse, AI, Tech News, Artificial Intelligence, BigTech, Innovation, Business Debate, Future Technology