Tensions Reportedly Emerge Between Mark Zuckerberg and Meta’s Top-Paid AI Executive

Meta Platforms’ ambitious artificial intelligence overhaul is reportedly facing internal strain, with fresh reports suggesting growing tension between CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Alexandr Wang, the company’s newly appointed AI chief and highest-paid executive.

Meta’s $14.8 billion investment in artificial intelligence startup Scale AI earlier this year marked a bold shift in the company’s AI strategy. As part of the deal, Scale AI founder and CEO Alexandr Wang joined Meta to lead its newly established “superintelligence” lab, becoming the public face of Zuckerberg’s AI reboot.

However, according to a report by the Financial Times, cracks are beginning to appear at the executive level. Sources familiar with the matter claim that Wang has privately expressed frustration over Zuckerberg’s hands-on management style, describing it as overly controlling and potentially slowing innovation within Meta’s AI division.

Zuckerberg, 41, is said to have approved nine-figure compensation packages to attract top AI talent from rival firms, intensifying competition across Silicon Valley. Despite this aggressive recruitment drive, insiders suggest that the working relationship between Zuckerberg and Wang has been strained for some time.

Internally, questions have also been raised about Wang’s experience in managing large corporate teams. While widely respected for his expertise in AI data services, some staff reportedly believe he lacks experience as a hands-on AI researcher driving technical breakthroughs at scale.

Wang’s arrival has further fueled debate over Meta’s long-standing commitment to open-source AI. His team is reportedly pushing for a closed model approach for Meta’s next-generation AI system — a significant departure from the company’s traditional philosophy. This shift has reportedly unsettled senior figures within Meta’s AI ranks.

As part of the restructuring, Meta has abandoned its delayed frontier AI model, Behemoth, and reorganized its AI division into four groups focused on research, superintelligence, products, and infrastructure. The changes have coincided with a wave of high-profile departures, including chief legal officer Jennifer Newstead and chief revenue officer John Hegeman.

Meanwhile, renowned AI scientist and Turing Award winner Yann LeCun is also expected to leave Meta to pursue a new initiative, reportedly unhappy with the revised leadership structure and funding cuts to long-term research.

As Meta doubles down on its AI ambitions, industry watchers say the company’s ability to manage leadership tensions may prove crucial to the success of its next chapter.