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Meta Launches ‘Superintelligence Labs’ to Revive AI Strategy Amid Fierce Competition

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Meta is restructuring its artificial intelligence efforts under a new division called Meta Superintelligence Labs, in a bid to regain lost ground in the global AI race. According to a source familiar with the matter, the new unit will be headed by Alexandr Wang, the former CEO of data-labeling firm Scale AI, who now takes on the role of Chief AI Officer at Meta.

The move comes as Meta grapples with senior staff exits and underwhelming reception to its latest open-source model Llama 4, developments that have left rivals such as Google, OpenAI, and China’s DeepSeek in stronger positions. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly hopes the new lab will fast-track progress toward artificial general intelligence (AGI)—a long-term ambition to build machines that can surpass human intelligence.

In recent weeks, Zuckerberg has taken personal control of AI recruiting, targeting high-profile names with aggressive offers, including attempts to lure OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever’s new startup Safe Superintelligence (SSI). Offers reportedly reached $1 million per candidate via direct WhatsApp outreach.

The shakeup includes Meta’s $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI earlier this month. In addition to Wang, the Superintelligence Labs will include SSI co-founder and CEO Daniel Gross, while former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman will co-lead the division, focusing on applied AI products.

Meta has also attracted talent from top AI firms, hiring at least 11 new AI researchers from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind. Notable names include Jack Rae and Pei Sun (DeepMind), Jiahui Yu, Shuchao Bi, Shengjia Zhao, and Hongyu Ren (OpenAI), as well as Joel Pobar (Anthropic), who had previously spent over a decade at Meta.

Earlier this month, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman revealed that Meta had offered some of his staff $100 million bonuses to switch companies.

Despite the hiring blitz, some analysts are skeptical of Meta’s AGI strategy. They point to the company’s Reality Labs unit, which has burned over $60 billion since 2020 with few commercial wins, outside of Ray-Ban smart glasses and Quest headsets.

The broader tech sector is expected to spend $320 billion on AI development this year. Other firms are also making bold moves: Microsoft spent $650 million acquiring most of Inflection AI’s team, and Amazon has poached key personnel from Adept.

Still, the path to AGI remains uncertain. Meta’s own Chief AI Scientist Yann LeCun has publicly said that current methods are inadequate to reach true AGI. Meanwhile, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son believes the breakthrough is within 10 years.

Meta to Acquire 49% Stake in Scale AI for Nearly $15 Billion, Reports Say

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Meta Platforms is reportedly set to purchase a 49% stake in AI data-labeling startup Scale AI for approximately $14.8 billion, according to The Information. The deal, which remains unfinalized, highlights Meta’s intensified efforts to strengthen its artificial intelligence capabilities amid mounting competition in the AI race.

Founded in 2016, Scale AI specializes in providing large volumes of labeled and curated training data essential for developing advanced AI tools, including those powering models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Scale AI’s investors, including Accel, Index Ventures, Founders Fund, and Greenoaks, are expected to benefit significantly from the deal.

Under the agreement, Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang is expected to join Meta in a leadership role, heading a new “superintelligence” lab within the company. This move aligns with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push to recruit top AI talent and accelerate innovation, especially after Meta’s recent Llama 4 models underperformed relative to expectations.

Meta’s ambitious plans include the forthcoming release of its major AI model, dubbed “Behemoth,” which has faced delays due to performance concerns, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. The company is also navigating ongoing antitrust scrutiny related to past acquisitions like Instagram and WhatsApp.

Industry analysts note that the deal’s structure may be designed to minimize regulatory hurdles, addressing heightened scrutiny of large tech mergers. Scale AI, valued at $13.8 billion in a recent funding round, reported $870 million in revenue in 2024 and forecasts over $2 billion in 2025. The company ended last year with more than $900 million in cash reserves.

Meta’s Zuckerberg Forms New AGI-Focused AI Team Amid Scale AI Investment

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Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg is assembling a new artificial intelligence team with a mission to pursue artificial general intelligence (AGI) — AI systems capable of matching or exceeding human-level intelligence — according to a report by Bloomberg News on Tuesday. The move signals Meta’s ambition to compete at the highest level of AI development, alongside rivals like OpenAI.

Zuckerberg is reportedly leading the recruitment of about 50 AI experts to form the AGI group, including searching for a new head of AI research. The effort comes amid Meta’s planned investment of over $10 billion in Scale AI, with Scale AI’s founder Alexandr Wang expected to join Meta’s AGI team once the deal is finalized, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources.

Meta has not yet publicly confirmed the formation of this team. Reuters noted that Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The creation of the AGI team follows internal dissatisfaction with the performance and reception of Meta’s most recent large language model, Llama 4, according to Bloomberg. Compounding these challenges, the Wall Street Journal previously reported that Meta delayed the release of its flagship “Behemoth” AI model last month due to concerns about its readiness and capabilities.

While Meta continues to build out its Llama series of models and expand AI integration across its platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, the pivot toward AGI suggests Zuckerberg is positioning Meta to remain competitive as global tech giants race to develop the next generation of AI technology.

Competitors such as OpenAI are also actively seeking additional investment to fuel their AGI research. The AGI race has attracted massive financial commitments, talent acquisitions, and escalating debates about both the promise and risks of creating human-level AI.