Summary: Meta is restructuring its AI superintelligence lab by cutting around 600 jobs as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and boost impact. Despite recent aggressive hiring, the company aims to create a leaner, more efficient team where each member has greater responsibility and influence.
Meta’s AI Team Restructuring
Meta’s Chief AI Officer, Alexandr Wang, informed staff in a recent memo that approximately 600 positions will be cut from the company’s superintelligence lab. This move was first reported by Axios, and Meta has confirmed the accuracy of this information to TechCrunch.
Hiring Frenzy and Strategic Shifts
Earlier this summer, Meta aggressively expanded its AI research team by recruiting over 50 researchers from competitors, offering multimillion-dollar compensation packages. Despite this, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted that none of OpenAI’s top talent accepted these offers. Wang emphasized that by reducing team size, decision-making will become more streamlined, and each individual will carry more responsibility and have a broader impact.
Looking Ahead: Efficiency and Impact
This restructuring aligns with Meta’s ongoing “year of efficiency,” a term the company uses to describe its recent mass layoffs. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has previously stated that “cleaner is better,” signaling a focus on leaner operations. While the overall headcount may not decrease significantly, the company is reorganizing its efforts to enhance effectiveness. Meta also assures that most employees affected by these changes will have opportunities to transition into other roles within the company.