Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is reportedly expanding its AI operations with the creation of a new internal research unit dubbed the "Superintelligence" lab, according to sources familiar with the matter. The lab is said to focus on long-term development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) — AI systems that can outperform humans across a wide range of tasks.

🧪 Focus on Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

This strategic move signals Meta’s growing intent to compete with OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic, all of which are investing heavily in AGI development. The lab, operating under the umbrella of Meta's Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) division, is expected to consolidate Meta’s most advanced AI research efforts, combining cutting-edge work in language models, robotics, multi-modal learning, and self-supervised training.

🤖 Key Figures and Leadership Driving the Effort

Although Meta has not officially confirmed the lab’s existence, insiders say Yann LeCun, Meta’s Chief AI Scientist, is playing a pivotal role in shaping the vision. The project is also rumored to involve top AI scientists recruited over the last two years, including talent from OpenAI and Google. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed a strong commitment to making Meta a leader in superintelligent AI systems, echoing past remarks about building AI that serves “billions of people responsibly.”

🔐 A Shift in Strategy Amid Competitive Pressure

The timing of the lab’s launch is crucial. Meta faces stiff competition in the generative AI space, where OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude continue to dominate. While Meta’s Llama models are open-source and popular among developers, they’ve yet to make the same commercial impact. The ‘Superintelligence’ lab reflects a pivot from open AI to more proprietary, high-performance models that could potentially serve Meta’s platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and the Metaverse.

🌐 A Bold Vision, But Uncertain Outcomes

While Meta’s ambition is clear, building AGI remains a risky and controversial pursuit, raising questions about safety, alignment, and societal impact. Experts warn that superintelligent systems could pose existential risks if not aligned with human values. Meta’s future announcements are likely to address governance frameworks and ethical guidelines tied to the lab's research.