Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Meta AI Surge Briefly Lifts Zuckerberg Above Google Co-Founder
Mark Zuckerberg became briefly richer because Meta’s stock price went up.
Meta is the company that owns Facebook.
The rise pushed him ahead of Google co-founder Sergey Brin on a real-time list of the world’s richest people.
His fortune later fell slightly, putting him back behind Brin.
Much of the excitement was connected to Meta’s new Muse AI agent.
Some analysts think Muse could become a very widely used consumer AI tool.
At the same time, some AI researchers warn that powerful AI systems could become dangerous if companies develop them too quickly.
These concerns have increased calls for governments to regulate advanced AI.
Mark Zuckerberg’s estimated fortune briefly rose by more than $4 billion, reaching nearly $257 billion.
The increase temporarily moved Zuckerberg to fifth place on Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List, ahead of Sergey Brin.
By September 24, Zuckerberg had slipped to sixth with an estimated $255.1 billion, while Brin had $255.4 billion.
Meta’s stock rose 2.1% to above $750, with analysts linking recent gains to enthusiasm for the Muse AI agent.
Muse’s launch comes amid warnings from AI researchers and technology leaders about the safety risks of advanced artificial intelligence.
- Who
- Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, Sergey Brin, and developers and critics of advanced artificial intelligence.
- What
- Zuckerberg briefly overtook Brin on Forbes’ real-time wealth ranking after Meta’s stock rose.
- When
- The surge occurred on Wednesday, with the ranking updated early Thursday and as of September 24 at 12:45 a.m. EDT.
- Where
- The changes were reported on Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List and concerned Meta’s stock performance.
- Why
- Meta’s share price increased amid enthusiasm for its Muse AI agent, while Alphabet’s stock decline reduced Brin’s estimated fortune.
AI Enthusiasts and Industry Developers
AI Safety Critics
Benefits and adoption of Muse
AI Enthusiasts and Industry Developers
Meta describes Muse as safe, private, widely available, and designed to feel like messaging another person. Analysts said it could become one of the most widely used consumer AI applications.
AI Safety Critics
Critics argue that rapid development of increasingly powerful AI systems could create risks that companies may not be able to control.
Speed of AI development
AI Enthusiasts and Industry Developers
Technology companies continue developing advanced AI products and promoting their consumer benefits, with Meta reporting strong early interest in Muse.
AI Safety Critics
Former AI workers, including Jacob Coxon, warned that companies are irresponsibly pursuing self-improving systems and called for stronger government regulation.
- Zuckerberg’s peak estimated fortune
- Nearly $257 billion
- Zuckerberg’s later estimated fortune
- $255.1 billion
- Brin’s estimated fortune
- $255.4 billion
- Meta stock move
- Up 2.1% to more than $750 on Wednesday
- Recent Meta stock performance
- Up more than 34% in the previous month
- Zuckerberg’s Meta ownership
- Approximately 13%
- Muse launch date cited
- About two weeks before the report; Meta’s release was dated September 8, 2026