Meta Platforms Inc. has reorganized its artificial intelligence operations into a new division called Meta Superintelligence Labs, in an effort to accelerate its pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI), a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.
The new division will be led by Alexandr Wang, the former CEO of data-labeling firm Scale AI, who will serve as Meta’s Chief AI Officer. The move follows a period of internal restructuring and intensified competition from other AI leaders such as OpenAI, Google, and DeepSeek, amid a lukewarm response to Meta’s recent Llama 4 open-source model.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly initiated the overhaul in an attempt to reposition the company in the global race toward AGI — a still-theoretical concept referring to machines capable of outperforming humans in a wide range of cognitive tasks. The effort is aimed at driving innovation across a range of AI-powered products including Meta AI, image-to-video advertising tools, and smart glasses.
The reorganization includes a wave of high-profile hires and strategic acquisitions. Wang will co-lead the division alongside Nat Friedman, former GitHub CEO, who will oversee applied research and AI product development. Daniel Gross, co-founder and CEO of Safe Superintelligence (SSI), is also expected to join the team.
Earlier this month, Meta invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI, signaling its intent to double down on AI infrastructure. According to the source, Zuckerberg has personally led recruitment efforts — contacting candidates directly via WhatsApp and offering multi-million-dollar compensation packages.
Among the new hires are notable AI researchers and engineers from companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind. These include OpenAI alumni Jiahui Yu, Shuchao Bi, Shengjia Zhao, and Hongyu Ren; former DeepMind researchers Jack Rae and Pei Sun; and Joel Pobar, formerly of Anthropic and a Meta veteran.
Meta’s intensified focus on AGI comes amid broader industry trends. Microsoft recently absorbed much of Inflection AI’s talent in a $650 million deal, and Amazon has hired key staff from Adept AI. Together, global tech giants are projected to spend over $320 billion on AI development in 2025.
Still, some analysts remain skeptical. Meta’s Reality Labs initiative — which has invested over $60 billion since 2020 — has so far produced limited commercial success, with products like Ray-Ban smart glasses and Quest VR headsets making modest impacts. Critics argue that AGI could follow a similar path, offering uncertain returns in the near term.
Even within Meta, expectations are tempered. Chief AI Scientist Yann LeCun has expressed doubts that current AI models will lead to true general intelligence. Meanwhile, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has predicted an AGI breakthrough within the next decade — a timeline still viewed as speculative.
Meta has not issued an official statement about the new division, and details may evolve as the company formalizes its leadership and research agenda.
