Meta is teaming up with Midjourney to license the startup’s AI image and video generation technology, announced Meta’s Chief AI Officer, Alexandr Wang, in a post on Threads. Wang stated that Meta’s research teams will work alongside Midjourney to integrate its technology into future AI models and products.
“To deliver the best possible products, Meta will adopt a comprehensive approach,” Wang said. “This includes attracting top talent, pursuing an ambitious computing roadmap, and collaborating with leading players in the industry.”
The partnership with Midjourney could enhance Meta’s ability to develop products that compete with industry leaders like OpenAI’s Sora, Black Forest Lab’s Flux, and Google’s Veo. Last year, Meta introduced its own AI image generation tool, Imagine, across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. The company also has an AI video generation tool called Movie Gen, enabling users to create videos from prompts.
This licensing agreement with Midjourney is part of Meta’s broader strategy to advance in the AI landscape. Earlier this year, CEO Mark Zuckerberg initiated a hiring spree for AI talent, offering some researchers compensation packages exceeding $100 million. Additionally, Meta invested $14 billion in Scale AI and acquired the AI voice startup Play AI.
Meta has engaged in discussions with various leading AI labs regarding potential acquisitions, including talks between Zuckerberg and Elon Musk about Musk’s $97 billion bid for OpenAI, which Meta ultimately did not pursue.
While the specifics of Meta’s deal with Midjourney remain undisclosed, Midjourney’s CEO, David Holz, noted on X that the company operates independently without outside investors, distinguishing it as one of the few prominent AI model developers to avoid external funding. Earlier discussions about a potential acquisition by Meta were also reported.
ICYMI: 5 Reasons covering toilet seats with paper won’t protect you from germs
Founded in 2022, Midjourney quickly established itself as a leader in AI image generation with its unique and realistic style. By 2023, it was projected to generate $200 million in revenue, offering subscriptions starting at $10 per month, with higher tiers available for up to $120 per month. In June, Midjourney launched its first AI video model, V1.
This partnership comes just two months after Midjourney faced a lawsuit from Disney and Universal, alleging that it trained its AI models on copyrighted works. Like several AI model developers, including Meta, Midjourney is navigating similar allegations; however, recent court rulings regarding AI training data have generally favored tech companies.
SOURCE: TECH CRUNCH
