Meta has appointed Shengjia Zhao as the chief scientist of its AI superintelligence unit, adding to the company's leadership in artificial intelligence. This development comes after the company recently hired another chief AI scientist, prompting clarification from Yann LeCun, the company's long-standing chief AI scientist, about his role. LeCun, a prominent figure in the field of AI, has been instrumental in shaping Meta's approach to machine learning and neural networks. His recent comments aim to address any confusion about the structure and responsibilities within the company's AI research division. Zhao, who previously worked at Google and Stanford, brings significant expertise in AI research and development, particularly in areas related to large-scale models and machine learning systems. His appointment signals Meta's continued investment in advancing AI capabilities, especially in the pursuit of superintelligence. While LeCun remains in his leadership position, the addition of Zhao suggests a broader strategy to expand and diversify the company's AI research efforts. The move also highlights the growing competition among tech giants to build and lead advanced AI initiatives.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Shengjia Zhao, a co-creator of ChatGPT and former lead scientist at OpenAI, has joined the company as chief scientist at Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL). Zhao will work directly with Alexandr Wang, Meta’s new chief AI officer, to set the research agenda for the lab, which aims to develop "personal superintelligence for everyone." This move comes as part of Meta’s broader strategy to strengthen its AI research capabilities and compete with rivals like OpenAI and Google. Zhao’s hiring is a significant step in Meta’s AI talent war, as the company has been actively recruiting top researchers from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Apple, and Anthropic. The Information reported in June that Zhao, along with three other OpenAI researchers, would join MSL. Meta has also brought in researchers from its own Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) lab and generative AI unit, and has offered high-profile compensation packages to lure talent, including some with "exploding offers" that expire quickly. Yann LeCun, Meta’s chief AI scientist and leader of FAIR, clarified on LinkedIn that his role remains unchanged. He emphasized that FAIR focuses on long-term AI research and developing new AI paradigms, such as world models that could one day replace large language models. LeCun expressed excitement about collaborating with Zhao to integrate new research into Meta’s most advanced models. FAIR, established over a decade ago, has been central to Meta’s AI advancements, including the release of the open-source Llama model in 2023. The Superintelligence Labs, however, is a newer umbrella department that includes FAIR, foundation models, and product teams. Its mission is to build AI systems that can assist individuals, rather than just large organizations. While FAIR focuses on long-term research, MSL is more aligned with immediate, practical AI development. Zuckerberg has invested heavily in MSL, including expanding cloud computing infrastructure. By 2026, the lab will have access to Meta’s 1-gigawatt Prometheus cloud computing cluster in Ohio, one of the largest in the world. This infrastructure will support the massive training needed for cutting-edge AI models. The move underscores the growing competition in the AI industry, as companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Google vie for top talent and research breakthroughs. While Zhao’s leadership at MSL signals a shift toward more applied AI research, LeCun’s FAIR continues to focus on foundational, long-term innovations. The interplay between these units remains unclear, but together, they position Meta to challenge leading AI firms. The case highlights the evolving structure of AI research at Meta and the strategic importance of top talent in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.