Meta Restructures AI Unit Under Superintelligence Labs

Meta is undergoing a significant overhaul of its artificial intelligence (AI) division, consolidating all AI-related efforts under a new entity called Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL). This strategic restructuring, announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, aims to position Meta as a leader in the race to develop AI "superintelligence," a theoretical form of AI that surpasses human cognitive abilities across various domains.

The MSL will be led by Alexandr Wang, the former CEO of Scale AI, who joins Meta as its first Chief AI Officer. Wang, praised by Zuckerberg as “the most impressive founder of his generation,” brings extensive experience from building Scale AI, a key player in data labeling for AI model training. He will be partnered with Nat Friedman, former CEO of GitHub, who will oversee Meta’s AI products and applied research efforts. This leadership duo will unify Meta’s foundational AI model teams, product teams, the Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) division, and a new lab focused on next-generation large language models (LLMs).

Meta’s push toward superintelligence is backed by aggressive investments and talent acquisition. Earlier in June 2025, Meta invested $14.3 billion to acquire a 49% stake in Scale AI, a move that not only secured Wang’s leadership but also brought several Scale AI employees into Meta’s fold. This deal, valuing Scale AI at $29 billion, underscores Meta’s commitment to bolstering its AI capabilities through strategic partnerships.

Zuckerberg has personally spearheaded a hiring blitz, targeting top AI talent from competitors like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic. Meta has successfully recruited 11 new AI researchers, including notable names such as Pei Sun (formerly of Google DeepMind), Joel Pobar (Anthropic), and OpenAI alumni like Trapit Bansal, Shuchao Bi, and Huiwen Chang. Reports indicate Meta offered compensation packages ranging from seven to nine figures to secure this talent, highlighting the competitive nature of the AI industry.

The restructuring comes in response to Meta’s challenges in keeping pace with rivals like OpenAI and Google, particularly after the underwhelming reception of its Llama 4 model. Zuckerberg’s vision for MSL is to accelerate the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI)—AI capable of performing tasks at human-level proficiency—and ultimately achieve superintelligence, which would exceed human capabilities across all domains. In an internal memo, Zuckerberg emphasized that Meta’s robust business model, extensive product reach, and significant investments in compute infrastructure uniquely position the company to deliver “personal superintelligence for everyone.”

Meta’s aggressive moves have sparked a talent war in the AI sector. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has publicly criticized Meta’s tactics, claiming the company offered signing bonuses as high as $100 million to lure OpenAI researchers, though Meta’s CTO dismissed these claims. Additionally, Meta’s attempts to acquire other AI startups, such as Safe Superintelligence and Perplexity, were unsuccessful, indicating the competitive and complex nature of the AI landscape.

The formation of MSL also reflects Meta’s shift from a fragmented AI strategy to a unified approach under a single leadership structure. This consolidation aims to streamline efforts and address internal setbacks, such as the departure of 11 of the 14 original researchers behind Meta’s Llama model. By centralizing its AI operations, Meta hopes to regain momentum and compete more effectively with industry leaders.

Meta’s creation of Superintelligence Labs marks a bold step toward shaping the future of AI. With significant financial investments, a star-studded roster of AI experts, and a clear focus on superintelligence, Meta is positioning itself as a formidable contender in the global AI race. However, the concept of superintelligence remains theoretical, and its development faces technical and ethical challenges. As Zuckerberg noted, “the pace of AI progress accelerates,” and Meta’s success will depend on its ability to translate this vision into tangible innovations.

The company plans to share more details about MSL’s structure and additional hires in the coming weeks, signaling that this restructuring is just the beginning of Meta’s ambitious AI journey.