Meta Platforms(US:META) Benzinga·2025-12-26 08:59Core Insights - The artificial intelligence sector generated significant wealth in 2025, creating over 50 new billionaires as investments surged into AI companies [1] Investment Trends - A record $202.3 billion was invested in AI startups, capturing 50% of all global funding, which is an increase of 16% from 2024 [2] - The rise in investment has led to historic valuations across various segments, including infrastructure, development tools, and data services [2] New Billionaires - Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's founder Liang Wenfeng became a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $11.5 billion [3] - Anthropic raised $16.5 billion in 2025, achieving a valuation of $183 billion, making all seven cofounders billionaires [3] - Edwin Chen, founder and CEO of Surge AI, holds a 75% stake worth approximately $18 billion based on $1.2 billion in revenue for 2024 [3] - Meta Platforms Inc. acquired 49% of Scale AI for over $14 billion, making cofounder Lucy Guo the youngest self-made female billionaire with a net worth of $1.4 billion [4] - The cofounders of Mercer became billionaires following a $10 billion valuation [4] - ElevenLabs' cofounders Mati Staniszewski and Piotr Dąbkowski also became billionaires at a valuation of $6.6 billion [5] Investor Focus - Investors are shifting their focus from AI infrastructure builders like Nvidia Corp. to companies leveraging AI for productivity gains, indicating a strategic shift in investment priorities [6] - Goldman Sachs noted that nearly 90% of AI spending through 2026 is expected to be funded by corporate cash rather than debt, highlighting the financial strength of the sector [6]