Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) has frozen hiring across its artificial intelligence division after months of aggressive recruiting, according to the Wall Street Journal. The pause began last week, also blocking internal transfers inside the AI group unless approved by Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang.
A Meta spokesperson called the move “basic organizational planning” to build a “solid structure” for its new superintelligence push.
The pause follows a blockbuster spending spree. Meta hired 50-plus researchers and engineers from OpenAI, Google, Apple, xAI, and Anthropic, often dangling nine-figure packages. In some cases, offers reportedly stretched to the ten-figure range for star recruits with CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally leading the outreach to top talent this spring.
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Wang’s elevated role at Meta came after the company invested roughly $14.3 billion into Scale AI in June, a deal valuing the startup near $29 billion and aligning its founder with Meta’s superintelligence program.
A recent selloff in mega-cap tech has been tied in part to concerns over swelling stock-based compensation and capex tied to AI buildouts. MarketWatch notes Meta has guided to as much as $72 billion in 2025 capital expenditures, while analysts warn rich equity awards could crimp buybacks if productivity gains lag.
The freeze coincides with a reorganization that splits Meta’s AI work into four units—superintelligence, product, infrastructure, and longer horizon research under Fundamental AI Research—now grouped under Meta Superintelligence Labs. The prior AGI Foundations team, which worked on the latest Llama models, was dissolved after those releases underperformed internal expectations.
Information for this briefing was found via The Wall Street Journal and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
