Meta Restructures AI Division to Accelerate Product Development and Compete in AI Race

Meta reportedly splits its AI team to build products faster | TechCrunch

Meta is dividing its AI department into two new teams, according to a report from Axios. Now, the company's AI personnel will be assigned to an AI products team, or an AGI Foundations unit. No jobs appear to have been cut. The AI products team will focus on consumer-facing efforts like the AI features within Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, as well as Meta's new standalone AI app. The AGI Foundations unit will focus on more of the bigger picture efforts, like improving its Llama models. As companies like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic make moves, Meta is trying its best to stay neck-and-neck with the competition. The company recently launched a Llama for Startups program to encourage early stage companies to use their products for generative AI applications. Meanwhile, much of Meta's LlamaCon event in April was geared toward showing that it can compete with OpenAI.

Meta splits its AI team to speed up rollouts.

The WSJ reported earlier this month that unnamed senior Meta execs were "frustrated" over a delayed rollout for the largest version of its Llama 4 AI model, dubbed Behemoth, and said management changes could follow. Now, Axios reports there have been changes. Connor Hayes is leading the AI products team responsible for AI features in Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, as well as the Meta AI Assistant and AI Studio, while Ahmad Al-Dahle and Amir Frenkel co-lead the AGI Foundations unit working on Llama models and other AI tech.

Exclusive: Meta splits AI team to move faster

Why it matters: Meta faces stiff competition in the AI race, including from OpenAI and Google as well as Chinese rivals such as TikTok parent ByteDance. Driving the news: In an internal memo sent Tuesday and seen by Axios, chief product officer Chris Cox laid out the new structure, which will see efforts divided into two teams: an AI products team, headed by Connor Hayes, and an AGI Foundations unit, co-led by Ahmad Al-Dahle and Amir Frenkel. Between the lines: No executives are leaving as part of the changes, nor are any jobs being cut, though the company has moved in some leaders from other parts of the company. What they're saying: "Our new structure aims to give each org more ownership while minimizing (but making explicit) team dependencies," Cox said in the memo.

Meta Creates Two New AI Teams to Catch Up in AI Race | AIM

Meta believes the restructuring will create smaller, more agile teams that can operate with greater ownership and fewer hidden dependencies. Meta is restructuring its AI operations to accelerate the release of new AI products and features, as the company intensifies its efforts to stay ahead in a competitive global AI race. According to an internal memo obtained by Axios, Meta's Chief Product Officer, Chris Cox, announced the formation of two new teams: an AI Products team, led by Connor Hayes, and an AGI Foundations unit, co-headed by Ahmad Al-Dahle and Amir Frenkel. The move aims to streamline development and clarify responsibilities across AI initiatives. The AI Products group will manage offerings such as the Meta AI assistant, AI Studio, and generative AI tools embedded in platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Meanwhile, the AGI Foundations team will concentrate on building foundational technologies, including Meta's Llama models, alongside advancements in reasoning, multimedia and voice. Although the company's core research arm, FAIR (Fundamental AI Research), remains separate, one multimedia-focused subgroup within FAIR will shift to the AGI Foundations team. No job cuts are planned, but some internal leadership shifts are underway. Meta believes the restructuring will create smaller, more agile teams that can operate with greater ownership and fewer hidden dependencies. "Our new structure aims to give each org more ownership while minimising (but making explicit) team dependencies," Cox wrote in the memo. The reorganisation follows similar adjustments made in 2023. However, it comes amid rising pressure from competitors like OpenAI, Google, and ByteDance, as well as growing concerns over talent retention. Business Insider recently reported that Meta has seen notable talent departures, including some heading to French AI firm Mistral.

Why is Meta suddenly shaking up its core AI division structure?

Meta has reportedly restructured its AI division into two separate teams: an AI products team and an AGI Foundations unit, according to Axios. This reorganization does not involve job cuts. The AI products team will concentrate on AI features for consumer platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This team will also work on Meta's new independent AI application. Conversely, the AGI Foundations unit will address broader AI development initiatives, including enhancements to its Llama models. Meta's restructuring occurs amidst competition from companies including OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. Meta recently introduced a Llama for Startups program to promote the use of its products by early-stage companies for generative AI. In April, Meta's LlamaCon event emphasized its capacity to compete with OpenAI.

Meta Restructures AI Division To Accelerate Product Development And Gain Competitive Edge: Report - Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META)

In a bid to expedite the launch of new products and features, Meta Platforms Inc. META is reportedly reorganizing its AI teams. What Happened: The restructuring, announced in an internal memo by Chief Product Officer Chris Cox on Tuesday, will see the division split into two teams. The new structure will consist of an AI products team, led by Connor Hayes, and an AGI Foundations unit, co-headed by Ahmad Al-Dahle and Amir Frenkel, reported Axios. "Our new structure aims to give each org more ownership while minimizing (but making explicit) team dependencies," Cox stated in the memo. The AI Products team will concentrate on Meta's AI assistant, AI Studio, and AI functionalities across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Meanwhile, the AGI Foundations unit will be responsible for a range of technologies, including the company's Llama models, as well as initiatives to advance reasoning, multimedia, and voice capabilities. Although the company is undergoing restructuring, its AI research division, FAIR (Fundamental AI Research), will continue to operate independently from the new organizational setup. However, one team focused on multimedia will transition to the newly formed AGI Foundations team. SEE ALSO: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Gain After Trump Media's Planned BTC Investment, Consumer Optimism: Analyst Says This Large Crypto Is 'Best Play' In Base Portfolio At The Moment - Grayscale Bitcoin Mini T Why It Matters: This restructuring comes after the departure of Joelle Pineau, the Vice President of AI research at Meta Platforms Inc., in April. Pineau had been with Meta since May 2017, overseeing the company's Fundamental AI Research lab. Her departure was announced via a Facebook post. Get StartedEarn 7.2% -- No Matter What the Fed Does Markets expect rate cuts -- but your earnings don't have to suffer. Lock in 7.2% until 2028 from ten individual bonds. Get Started The Mark Zuckerberg-led company did a similar internal restructuring in its AI division in 2023. It's Responsible AI (RAI) team, created in 2020 to promote ethical AI use, saw major changes in its structure and mission. Once growing to nearly 40 members, the team was shrunk to about 25 amid internal shifts. Meta holds a momentum rating of 87.64% and a growth rating of 92.86%, according to Benzinga's Proprietary Edge Rankings. The Benzinga Growth metric evaluates a stock's historical earnings and revenue expansion across multiple timeframes, prioritizing both long-term trends and recent performance. Meta stock surged more than 33.84% over the past year. READ MORE: Trump's Apple Beef Isn't Just About India-Made iPhones -- It's Also About Skipped Middle East Trip: Report Image via Shutterstock Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. METAMeta Platforms Inc$641.20-0.17%Stock Score Locked: Edge Members Only Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Unlock RankingsEdge RankingsMomentum86.28Growth92.84Quality83.50Value35.52Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Meta Splits Its AI Division Into Product And AGI Teams To Speed Up Development, Enhance Consumer Features, And Stay Competitive In The Rapidly Evolving AI Landscape

Companies are increasingly focused on bringing AI capabilities and expanding on them throughout their ecosystem. Meta seems to be joining the bandwagon with the growing heed it is placing on the technology and its integration across its platforms. Now, a recent report claims that Meta is reorganizing its AI division and splitting it into two new teams in order to accelerate its efforts in deploying more artificial intelligence features and products. The tech giant seems to be not focused on cutting other jobs in order to build the AI team but rather restructuring so that there is more focused attention. Meta is making its AI development more streamlined by dividing the department into two teams, each focused on a specific domain via TechCrunch. The AI Products Team would be responsible for the development and enhancement of AI features that are consumer-focused, such as personalized recommendations and smart assistants for social media platforms. The AI Products Team would basically be driving AI capabilities that the users get to interact with directly and make them more engaging and competitive. The team would also overlook Meta's standalone app, which would offer an experience similar to other advanced AI models. It would be managing the AI-driven functionalities across Meta's ecosystem. The AGI Foundation Team, on the other hand, will be directing their efforts on the ambitious goals of the company and the long-term vision of building general-purpose AI systems and also going forward and advancing in the company's open-source large language models. Meta's strategic move of reorganizing its AI team comes after other big tech companies such as Google, Anthropic, and OpenAI have been actively pushing for generative AI efforts and trying to make their mark in leading technological advancement. Meta, by splitting the AI department into two teams, is not just accelerating the time for bringing forward the AI features but also allowing for establishing itself broadly in enterprise and research. By jumping on the growing trend of the tech giants and separating research and application, the company would be able to focus better on each aspect without slowing down the other team. We can also see Mark Zuckerberg's growing emphasis on progressing on the AGI front and streamlining its AI innovation while not laying off any staff members as part of this recent move. Meta is going with an aggressive approach yet a calculated one, which could help greatly excel in the AI game.

Meta Reorganizes GenAI Team to Accelerate Product Rollouts | PYMNTS.com

Talent retention is a concern, as Meta's Llama team is seeing key researchers leave for rivals like Mistral. Meta is reorganizing its generative artificial intelligence team to accelerate rollouts of products and features as the AI race intensifies. Meta is splitting the team into two groups, according to reports by Axios and The Information. One group will be focused on products and led by Vice President of Product Connor Hayes. The other group will be an AGI Foundations unit co-led by Head of GenAI Ahmad Al-Dahle and Vice President of GenAI Amir Frenkel. The reorganization, detailed in an internal memo from Chief Product Officer Chris Cox, aims to streamline operations and clarify roles, thereby enhancing Meta's competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI industry, per the reports. A week ago, Zuckerberg targeted teams with 150 employees or more, asking leaders to tag 15% to 20% as low performers, Business Insider reported. That was up from 12% to 15% previously. Meta's structural change came as the company raised its investment in AI infrastructure. In April, the company raised its 2025 capital expenditure forecast to between $64 billion and $72 billion, up from the previous range of $60 billion to $65 billion.