ZUCKERBERG. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg attends the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley Media and Technology Conference at the Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho, U.S., July 9, 2026
Meta says renting out AI computing power is an option, but insists bigger profits lie in selling AI services
Meta can simultaneously fuel its own AI ambitions and rent out its scarce computing capacity to bolster returns, CEO Mark Zuckerberg signaled on Wednesday. The problem is: investors aren’t buying it.
The Instagram owner is splurging billions to build compute — chips, servers, energy and data centers that power AI — leaving it with free cash flow of just $784 million in the second quarter to run and grow its business. That collapse, of 91% from a year ago, drove its stock down more than 9% on Thursday.
Pressed by analysts for details on Meta’s plans, Zuckerberg framed compute as a scarce strategic asset that the company should keep and build around, rather than simply sell for short-term profit.
