Meta Restructures AI Division, Cuts 600 Research Roles While Expanding Superintelligence Team

Major Workforce Reduction in AI Research Division

Meta Platforms is reportedly eliminating around 600 positions within its legacy artificial intelligence research team, according to a report from Axios. The layoffs primarily impact the company’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) unit, which has been a cornerstone of Meta’s long-term AI exploration efforts since its establishment.

Major Workforce Reduction in AI Research Division
Strategic Pivot Toward Applied AI
Internal Memo Reveals Restructuring Rationale
Broader Industry Context

Sources indicate this workforce reduction comes as Meta simultaneously expands hiring for its newly formed superintelligence team, TBD Lab. The restructuring appears to signal a strategic shift from pure research toward more product-oriented AI development, analysts suggest.

Strategic Pivot Toward Applied AI

The reported layoffs follow a significant hiring spree earlier this year when Meta invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI and recruited CEO Alexandr Wang in June. However, the company paused hiring just months later and announced a comprehensive restructuring focused on AI-related products and infrastructure.

According to the report, Meta’s AI research division has taken a secondary position in the company’s priorities, with FAIR leader Joelle Pineau departing earlier this year. In August, Meta AI head Wang stated the company “will aim to integrate and scale many of the research ideas and projects from FAIR into the larger model runs conducted by TBD Lab.”

Internal Memo Reveals Restructuring Rationale

In a memo viewed by Axios, Wang explained the reasoning behind the workforce reductions. “By reducing the size of our team, fewer conversations will be required to make a decision, and each person will be more load-bearing and have more scope and impact,” Wang wrote., according to according to reports

The report states that the layoffs will also affect roles within Meta’s AI product and infrastructure teams, though impacted employees will be permitted to apply for other positions within the company. This approach suggests Meta is seeking to retain AI talent while reallocating resources toward its new strategic priorities.

Broader Industry Context

The restructuring at Meta occurs amid significant turbulence in the technology sector’s approach to artificial intelligence development. Many major tech companies are balancing fundamental research against the pressure to develop commercially viable AI products.

Industry observers suggest Meta’s move reflects a broader trend of technology companies consolidating their AI efforts toward more immediate product applications while maintaining select long-term research initiatives. The company’s substantial investment in Scale AI earlier this year indicates continued commitment to AI development, albeit through restructured teams and priorities.

The Verge has reached out to Meta for comment on the reported layoffs and restructuring. The company has not yet issued an official statement regarding these workforce changes.