Meta Appoints Former Google DeepMind Director Robert Fergus to Lead AI Research Lab

Meta Platforms has appointed Robert Fergus, a former Google DeepMind research director and co-founder of Meta's Facebook AI Research (FAIR) lab, as the new head of its AI research division. Fergus succeeds Joelle Pineau and returns to Meta after nearly five years at Google, bringing experience vital for advancing Meta's AI ambitions, including the development of foundational models like Llama. FAIR, established in 2013, has faced challenges due to significant researcher departures to startups, other companies, and Meta’s newer GenAI team, which developed Llama 4. Meta’s leadership change follows a strategic search led by Chief Product Officer Chris Cox, emphasizing the company's commitment to pioneering human-level AI experiences. Market analysts generally hold a positive outlook on Meta’s stock, with an average price target indicating a potential 15% upside, though GuruFocus suggests a possible downside based on fair value estimates. Overall, Fergus's return marks a key moment for Meta’s efforts to sustain leadership in fundamental AI research amid evolving organizational dynamics.