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

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.