Meta Trims 600 Positions in AI Superintelligence Division While Retaining Top Talent

by Ryan Holbrook • 4 min read
Meta Trims 600 Positions in AI Superintelligence Division Wh - Major Restructuring at Meta's AI Division Meta has eliminated

Major Restructuring at Meta’s AI Division

Meta has eliminated approximately 600 positions within its Superintelligence Labs division, according to internal company communications and industry reports. The job cuts represent a significant restructuring of the multibillion-dollar AI initiative that was established earlier this year to accelerate the company’s artificial intelligence capabilities.

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Leadership Memo Announces Changes

The layoffs were announced in a memo from Alexandr Wang, who serves as both head of Superintelligence Labs and Meta’s first-ever chief AI officer, sources indicate. Wang joined Meta just months ago as part of a $14.3 billion investment in his startup Scale AI, according to the reports. His division now oversees all of Meta’s artificial intelligence efforts across the organization.

Targeted Department Impacts

The workforce reduction primarily affects Meta’s AI infrastructure units, the Fundamental Artificial Intelligence Research (FAIR) team, and various product-related positions, according to the internal announcement. Sources familiar with the matter described these teams as having become “bloated” over time. The FAIR unit represents Meta’s earliest venture into artificial intelligence, dating back to 2013.

High-Profile Talent Protected

Notably, the layoffs do not impact Meta’s most recent high-profile AI hires, who reportedly command compensation packages worth hundreds of millions of dollars to remain with the company. Analysts suggest this selective approach highlights CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s strategic bet on acquiring premium external talent over retaining longer-tenured employees.

Among the protected executives working directly under Wang are former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman, Safe Superintelligence co-founder Daniel Gross, Apple’s former AI lead Ruoming Pang, and Thinking Machines Lab co-founder Andrew Tulloch, according to the reports.

Post-Cut Workforce Numbers

Following the restructuring, Meta’s Superintelligence Labs division now employs approximately 3,000 people, though sources indicate the exact count remains somewhat unclear. The division continues to represent one of Meta’s most significant investment areas despite the workforce reduction.

Broader Performance Management Strategy

These latest cuts align with Meta’s announcement earlier this year to eliminate 5% of its global workforce, beginning with its lowest-performing employees. At that time, Zuckerberg described the initiative as part of his plan to “raise the bar on performance management” and “move out low performers faster,” according to company statements.

Substantial AI Investment Continues

Despite the workforce reductions, Meta has signaled its commitment to substantial AI spending through 2026. The company reportedly plans to spend up to $118 billion this year alone on various initiatives, including major cloud and computing contracts.

Recent significant expenditures include a $10 billion agreement with Google for cloud services and a $14.2 billion deal with CoreWeave for computing power, according to financial reports. Earlier this week, the company also secured a $27 billion financing arrangement with Blue Owl Capital to fund its largest global data center project.

Strategic Realignment Focus

Industry analysts suggest the selective layoffs indicate Meta’s strategic pivot toward acquiring established AI leadership while streamlining existing operations. The protection of high-cost new hires working directly under Wang’s leadership appears to reinforce Zuckerberg’s commitment to positioning Meta at the forefront of artificial intelligence development, despite the significant financial investment required.

References

This article aggregates information from publicly available sources. All trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners.

Note: Featured image is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent any specific product, service, or entity mentioned in this article.

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