Meta freezes hiring in AI unit after restructuring spree
Meta has halted hiring in its AI organization following a major reshuffle, The Wall Street Journal reports. The freeze kicked in last week with no announced end date.
The shakeup split Meta’s AI division, Meta Superintelligence Labs, into four new groups. One, TBD Labs, is led by Alexandr Wang, the ex-founder of Scale AI. The other three focus on research, product integration, and infrastructure. 
This freeze follows weeks of aggressive talent poaching. Meta snagged over 50 AI researchers and engineers from rivals, amid CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s big push to lead in AI.
Meta confirmed the hiring pause, calling it routine organizational planning tied to budgeting and staffing reviews.
Mark Zuckerberg’s push involves courting top AI talent with nine-figure offers and buying startups or their leadership. Analysts warn rising stock-based pay could hurt shareholder returns.
Mark Zuckerberg stated for Meta:
“Basic organizational planning…after bringing people on board and undertaking yearly budgeting and planning exercises.”
