Meta expects to earn up to $1.4 trillion from generative AI by 2035. This estimate appears in court records unsealed this week. For 2025 alone, the company predicts revenue between $2 billion and $3 billion.
These numbers stem from documents filed during an ongoing lawsuit. Several authors have accused Mark Zuckerberg’s company of using their copyrighted books to train AI systems without consent.
What Meta Means by “Generative AI”
The documents do not define what the company includes under “generative AI.” However, several public efforts suggest possible sources of revenue:
- Llama models: Meta offers these AI models openly. Partner companies host and share in the earnings.
- Meta AI assistant: This tool may soon feature ads or offer a premium plan.
- Custom APIs: Developers can now fine-tune Llama models through Meta’s new API tools.
Also read: Meta Drops Two New Llama 4 AI Models
Legal Trouble Over Training Data
The lawsuit against Meta centers around concerns about how it collects training data. According to the court documents, the company once considered paying $200 million to license material.
Half of that budget, around $100 million, would have gone toward books. However, the lawsuit claims it chose a different path.
Instead of paying for access, the company allegedly used pirated ebooks to train its AI models.
The Official Statement
In response, a Meta spokesperson issued a statement:
“Meta has developed transformational open AI models that are powering incredible innovation, productivity, and creativity for individuals and companies. Fair use of copyrighted materials is vital to this. We disagree with the authors’ assertions, and the full record tells a different story. We will continue to vigorously defend ourselves and to protect the development of generative AI for the benefit of all.”
In summary, the company maintains that it operates within legal boundaries.
Is the Forecast Realistic?
Meta’s numbers are ambitious. By 2035, it believes its generative AI programs could generate over a trillion dollars.
If these projections hold, Meta’s AI business could rival some of the most profitable tech ventures in history.
