Meta is launching a research lab focused on superintelligence, led by Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang, in an attempt to regain ground in the global AI race.

Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly in talks to invest billions into Scale, reflecting strong confidence in Wang's data-driven approach and industry influence.

While Meta's past efforts with its Llama models gained traction, its latest release, Llama 4, failed to meet expectations and drew criticism.

Wang's appointment arrives during an ongoing talent exodus from Meta, with several senior AI researchers departing for rivals or founding startups.

The new lab is separate from Meta's existing FAIR division, led by Yann LeCun, who has dismissed the idea of chasing superintelligence. Meta's partnership with Scale mirrors deals by Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, aiming to secure top AI talent without formal acquisitions.