Scale AI, a data-labeling and machine-learning services company, appoints Francis deSouza, an executive from Google Cloud, as its first permanent chief executive officer in more than a year. The move comes after Meta Platforms invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI and hired away the company’s CEO in the preceding period. DeSouza is described by the company as a veteran of enterprise cloud, and he is set to begin work on 10 August. He replaces Jason Droege, who serves as interim CEO following the leadership change after Meta’s investment and the departure of Scale AI’s founder. The appointment signals a leadership transition from interim management to a permanent CEO while Scale AI continues operating in the enterprise cloud and AI services space. The announcement also provides a timeline for the handover, with Droege stepping aside as deSouza takes over in August.