Meta Launches AGI Lab, Intensifies AI Talent War

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has launched Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL), a new division dedicated to developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) and reclaiming leadership in the AI sector. MSL merges Meta’s AI research units, including the team behind its Llama models, and is co-led by former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang and ex-GitHub CEO Nat Friedman. Meta invested $14.3 billion to acquire a significant stake in Scale AI, bringing Wang and top engineers into the company, while also aggressively recruiting from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic with multimillion-dollar offers. The overhaul was prompted by disappointing feedback to Meta’s Llama 4 model and increased competitive pressure. Meta aims to integrate more advanced AI capabilities into products like Meta AI and smart devices as part of its vision for a 'new era for humanity.' The move has intensified the AI talent war in Silicon Valley as the industry watches Meta’s bold strategy.