Meta Platforms announced Monday the addition of UFC president Dana White to its board of directors. This move, alongside new board members John Elkann and Charlie Songhurst, aims to bring expertise in areas like AI and the future of human connection to the social media giant.
White, known for his business acumen in the sports entertainment sector, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to learn from within the tech industry. "I’ve never been interested in joining a board until Meta," he stated, highlighting his belief in the future potential of social media and AI.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, in a statement, emphasized the value these additions bring to the board. The additions are seen as bolstering Meta's efforts in emerging technologies.
White's inclusion on the Meta board comes amid a period of evolving relationships between tech companies and the political landscape. Notably, White's public support for former President Trump in recent elections, potentially influenced his relationship with Meta.
Zuckerberg, known for his previous political stances, appears to be actively seeking to improve relations with the returning President-elect. This alignment with political entities raises questions for the future direction of Meta's public image and policy.
Similar stances by other tech leaders, such as Amazon's and OpenAI's donations to the previous inaugural fund, suggest a broader trend of tech companies navigating potentially complicated political environments.
